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Difficult debriefing situations: A toolbox for simulation educators
V J Grant1,2, T Robinson2, H Catena2
1a Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada.
Background:
Simulation-based education (SBE) has emerged as an essential modality for health professions education. One of the central tenants of effective SBE is reflective practice, typically guided by a facilitated debriefing. The debriefing conversation has the possibility of becoming a difficult conversation based on learner and situation-related factors. Difficult debriefing situations may threaten the learning environment, thus requiring an appreciation and understanding of the various ways that learners may react adversely to simulation and debriefing.
Aim:
This article provides a review of the various phenotypes of difficult debriefing situations and a toolbox of proactive and reactive strategies to help guide the simulation educator to manage these situations, with the ultimate goal of achieving learning objectives.
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