Phases of Debriefing

Written by grixtik on . Posted in Uncategorized

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Although there are different model of debriefing discussed in the literature, almost all consist of a similar logical structure – prebrief, vent, body and summary.

Click on the circles below.

Prebrief
Vent
Body
Summary

Prebrief

This prebrief phase is where the participants learn what is expected of them, sets the ground rules for their simulation-based learning experience and allows the facilitator to create a safe leaning environment.

  • Ensure participants are aware of what is expected from them
  • Identify the need for confidentiality amongst participants and debriefers
  • Discuss the use of audio/visual if required
  • Describe your role as a debriefer and if required as a confederate
  • Develop a fiction contract with participants (See…)
  • Acknowledge participant’s anxiety and the limitations of the simulation

Vent

The vent phase allows participants to express their initial emotional reactions to the simulation and provides the facilitator with valuable insight into what participants may want to discuss.

  • Listen to the participants as they walk from the simulation to the debrief room as they will often talk about how they are feeling to their colleagues. 
  • Use an open ended question to elicit participants thoughts and feelings          
  • "How did that feel"
    "What are your initial thoughts  following that scenario"
  • Allow participants time to reflect and answer

Body

The body is the phase that allows the group to analyse and conceptualise what happened throughout the scenario and discuss strategies to take back to the real world.

  • Review the facts of the case to ensure everyone is on the same page                         
  • Prioritise and keep learning points to a minimum to ensure you have time to explore explicitly
  • Investigate participants frames to help create change
  • Consider the use of video playback
  • Work through strategies and discuss how to apply in the real world

Summary

The Summary phase in the debrief brings it to a definite close. By summarising the outcomes of the debrief and encouraging further reflection at a later time, the closure links the lessons learnt in simulation with real life, thereby moving the context-based learning out of the simulation environment.

  • Summarise the lessons learnt
  • Encourage partcipants to make a plan for the future
  • Do not introduce new material

Although there are different model of debriefing discussed in the literature, almost all consist of a similar logical structure – prebrief, vent, body and summary.

Prebrief

This prebrief phase is where the participants learn what is expected of them, sets the ground rules for their simulation-based learning experience and allows the facilitator to create a safe leaning environment.

  • Ensure participants are aware of what is expected from them
  • Identify the need for confidentiality amongst participants and debriefers
  • Discuss the use of audio/visual if required
  • Describe your role as a debriefer and if required as a confederate
  • Develop a fiction contract with participants (See…)
  • Acknowledge participant’s anxiety and the limitations of the simulation

Vent

The vent phase allows participants to express their initial emotional reactions to the simulation and provides the facilitator with valuable insight into what participants may want to discuss.

  • Listen to the participants as they walk from the simulation to the debrief room as they will often talk about how they are feeling to their colleagues. 
  • Use an open ended question to elicit participants thoughts and feelings          
  • "How did that feel"
    "What are your initial thoughts  following that scenario"
  • Allow participants time to reflect and answer

Body

The body is the phase that allows the group to analyse and conceptualise what happened throughout the scenario and discuss strategies to take back to the real world.

  • Review the facts of the case to ensure everyone is on the same page                         
  • Prioritise and keep learning points to a minimum to ensure you have time to explore explicitly
  • Investigate participants frames to help create change
  • Consider the use of video playback
  • Work through strategies and discuss how to apply in the real world

Summary

The Summary phase in the debrief brings it to a definite close. By summarising the outcomes of the debrief and encouraging further reflection at a later time, the closure links the lessons learnt in simulation with real life, thereby moving the context-based learning out of the simulation environment.

  • Summarise the lessons learnt
  • Encourage partcipants to make a plan for the future
  • Do not introduce new material