The Power of Debriefing: A Crucial Element in Team Development
Tina Patel Gunaldo, PhD, DPT, MHS
Building interprofessional teams with ease | Bridging science to practice | Team development strategies | Patient Advocate | Let's build high performing teams together!
What is Debriefing? Why is Debriefing Important?
Debriefing, an evidence-based and structured process, plays a pivotal role in team development by providing a platform for team members to reflect on experiences and events. The primary goal of a debrief is to enhance future outcomes through a continuous quality improvement plan. This dynamic practice stands out for fostering open discussions among team members, encouraging transparency, and embracing vulnerability.
In the realm of continuous quality improvement, the traditional approach often involves measuring outcomes and devising improvement plans in isolation. However, this siloed method lacks the essential engagement of those directly responsible for the work, a flaw that debriefing successfully addresses.
True change arises when motivation aligns with the involvement of those accountable for measured outcomes. Debriefing not only contributes to the improvement plan but also strengthens team functionality by creating a space for conversations that build trust.
While debriefing might sound like a simple conversation, it is more than that. There is science behind the structure and process of a debrief in order to get the outcomes desired. Debriefing is an important component of an improvement plan as it engages the people doing the work to identify what they did well (reinforce positive behaviors), identify opportunities for improvement and future implementation.
To facilitate your journey in team development, take advantage of a free debriefing resource, A Complete Checklist for Effective Debriefing,I have developed to support professionals, providers, and administrators in transforming their teams into highly independent, high-functioning units.
As you begin to integrate debriefs into your team processes, remember that we are BETTER TOGETHER. If you need guidance or support on this journey, know that I am here to assist you. Let's Collaborate for Health!