Informal debriefing: Underutilization in critical care settings

Debriefing is the active reflection, conceptualization and basis for reinforced or changed behaviour in response to new learning experiences. It has been acknowledged as a valuable tool towards achieving learning outcomes informal teaching or training ven- ues. However, there is limited recognition of the importance of informal debriefing in the clinical setting, especially in critical care settings. Additional specialized training is received by registered nurses to be able to care for clinically unstable patients in critical care units. Informal debriefing can allow critical care nurses to learn from the experience of exposure to different clinical situations and progress towards becoming competent, expert clinicians. The purpose of this article is to present a discussion highlighting informal debriefing and the importance of providing feedback to novice and experienced nurses in critical care areas. The underutilization of informal debriefing will be explored together with possible barriers and challenges to its use. Solutions to overcoming such barriers will be proposed, as a means of ensuring that valuable reflection and learning opportunities are not lost. These suggestions will emphasize the importance of how informal debriefing promotes professional and personal development, and safer patient care.