Written Communication Jan 2015

Three Types of Memory in Emergency Medical Services Communication

Elizabeth L. Angeli Towson University

Abstract

This article examines memory and distributed cognition involved in the writing practices of emergency medical services (EMS) professionals. Results from a 16-month study indicate that EMS professionals rely on distributed cognition and three kinds of memory: individual, collaborative, and professional. Distributed cognition and the three types of memory reduce cognitive workload during a 911 response, and they help evoke information as an EMS professional composes the legally binding patient care report. In addition to presenting results, the article details the author’s interaction with two institutional review boards, which influenced the study’s methods. The article argues that scholars should conduct more research on the collaborative and distributed nature of memory as it relates to workplace writing practices. Furthermore, the article calls for developing writing research methods that involve participant recollection.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
2015-01-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088314556598
Open Access
Closed
Topics
empirical research professional writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (10)

  1. Guadrón (2025)
    Reflections-on-Action: Using Critical Disability Studies to Reconceptualize the…
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  2. Spinuzzi (2023)
    What Is a Workplace? Principles for Bounding Case Studies of Genres, Processes,…
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  3. Russell (2020)
    Metaphor 2: Crossing: Retreading, Non-ing, and a TPC Rationale for Sub-discipli…
    College English
  4. Bivens et al. (2018)
    Coordinating Distributed Memory
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Clayson (2018)
    Distributed Cognition and Embodiment in Text Planning: A Situated Study of Coll…
    Written Communication
Show all 10 →
  1. Hannah et al. (2018)
    Mapping the Terrain: Examining the Conditions for Alignment Between the Rhetori…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Kenzie et al. (2018)
    Teaching Writing for the Health Professions: Disciplinary Intersections and Ped…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Angeli et al. (2018)
    Introduction to the Special Issue: Medical Humanities and/or the Rhetoric of He…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Breuch et al. (2016)
    Toward Audience Involvement
    Written Communication
  5. St.Amant et al. (2016)
    Addressing the Incommensurable
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (5)

  1. Wickman (2010)
    Writing Material in Chemical Physics Research: The Laboratory Notebook as Locus…
    Written Communication
  2. Teston (2009)
    A Grounded Investigation of Genred Guidelines in Cancer Care Deliberations
    Written Communication
  3. Munger (2000)
    Evolution of the emergency medical services profession: A case study of EMS run…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. HIGGINS et al. (1992)
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    Written Communication
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