What are the best practices for debriefing and feedback after a healthcare simulation scenario?

3 How to prepare for debriefing and feedback?

The quality of debriefing and feedback depends largely on how well the facilitator and the participants are prepared for the process. The facilitator should have a clear objective, a structured framework, and a set of criteria for debriefing and feedback. The facilitator should also be familiar with the simulation scenario, the learning outcomes, and the participants' backgrounds and expectations. The facilitator should create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for debriefing and feedback, and establish the ground rules and expectations for the participants. The participants should be aware of the purpose, format, and duration of debriefing and feedback, and be willing to share their experiences, opinions, and feedback with others.

4 How to conduct debriefing and feedback?

There are different models and methods for conducting debriefing and feedback, but they generally follow a similar sequence of steps. The first step is to reorient the participants to the reality and to ensure their physical and emotional well-being. The second step is to review the simulation scenario and the learning objectives, and to summarize the main events and outcomes. The third step is to explore the participants' reactions, feelings, and thoughts, and to acknowledge their emotions and stress. The fourth step is to analyze the participants' performance, and to provide constructive feedback based on the evidence and the criteria. The fifth step is to synthesize the key learning points and takeaways, and to link them to the real-world practice. The sixth step is to plan for future actions and improvements, and to set specific goals and strategies.

5 How to evaluate debriefing and feedback?

Debriefing and feedback are not only used to evaluate the participants' performance, but also to assess the effectiveness of the simulation. To improve the design, delivery, and outcomes of the simulation, it is essential to collect and analyze data from various sources. This can include participant satisfaction surveys, facilitator self-assessment and peer review, video recordings and transcripts of debriefing and feedback sessions, pre- and post-simulation tests and assessments, simulation outcome measures and indicators, and follow-up interviews and observations.