Elucidating cognitive processes in cardiac arrest team leaders: a virtual reality-based cued-recall study of experts and novices.

Background: Team leadership during medical emergencies like cardiac arrest resuscitation is cognitively demanding, especially for trainees. These cognitive processes remain poorly characterized due to measurement challenges. Using virtual reality simulation, this study aimed to elucidate and compare communication and cognitive processes-such as decision-making, cognitive load, perceived pitfalls, and strategies-between expert and novice code team leaders to inform strategies for accelerating proficiency development.