Debriefing
"Individuals learn far better as active participants responsible for their own learning process, rather than as passive recipients of wisdom imparted from instructors"
Dismukes K, Smith G. Facilitation and debriefing in aviation training and operations - 2000
Debriefing can be easy, but it can also be gruelling and difficult. To gain more experience in debriefing there are a number of courses that you can attend, a wealth of literature and a number tools that you can use below.
You could also visit centres who are running regular in-situ simulation, or simulation courses to gain more experience.
This page contains debriefing guides and templates which you can use in your own setting.
Thank you to Dr Jon Gatward, much of this information is adapted from his work.
Purposes of the debrief
Engagement and learning from a debrief requires a safe context in which the learners can examine the experience of the simulation, analyse their thought processes, discuss successes or mistakes frankly, and create future action plans.
The debrief should occur away from the bed space in as soon as the scenario ends (whilst still giving the learners a minute to catch their breath!). This gives the faculty an opportunity to share thoughts about what has just occurred.
When going into a debrief, have a tool to use and a plan in mind to direct the debrief. Don’t be afraid to deviate from that however if it allows the learners to explore themes that you might not have even thought of. Practice really does make a huge difference in debriefing and is often the main determinant of the learners’ experience.
Do you have simulation resources?
If so and you would like them featured on the FICM website, please get in touch.
