Debriefing
Debriefing is the process of reviewing and assessing self-performance. Key insights from simulation-based training is derived during this important exercise.
We believe that debriefing should be performed in a supportive and constructive fashion. We embrace a culture of acceptance in our lab. We want our learners to appreciate the positive aspects of their performance even when the outcome is not what they had hoped to have, but also to understand where the need to improve by providing constructive, directed feedback.
Often, the participants will volunteer what they feel they need to improve on for next time without prompting. Our goal is to leave the participant with an interest to continue to learn on their own.
Video playback during debriefing allows the trainee to visualize their performance. This is a critical component for effective feedback.
We encourage our students to learn reflective practice. In this way, we are facilitative instructors: providing content information when needed but predominantly teaching participants methods to further their own self-discovery and training.
In our experience, the “experts” in our field are those want to be the best healthcare providers and who seek to be the best at their craft as an end in and of itself.
Copyright 2009, CSTAR Media and Ernest Wang, MD