Clinical debriefing: A concept analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Practice
• Collaborative Practice

Background:

• Clinical debriefing encompasses various approaches, leading to inconsistencies in practice.
• Standardized terminology and application of clinical debriefing remain a challenge in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a concept analysis of clinical debriefing.
• To introduce an operational definition for clinical debriefing to enhance nursing and collaborative practice.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis utilizing Walker and Avant's eight-step approach.
• Identification of defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of clinical debriefing.

Main Results:

• The five defining attributes of clinical debriefing are: educated/experienced facilitator, environment, education, evaluation, and emotions.
• Antecedents include critical events and organizational need; consequences are positive impacts on nurses, teams, patients, and organizations.
• An operational definition was developed based on these attributes, antecedents, and consequences, with proposed questions to enhance productivity.

Conclusions:

• Clinical debriefing is a valuable, holistic, interprofessional tool when all five attributes are present.
• Standardization of debriefing practices requires further investigation.
• Concept analysis promotes uniform debriefing, reflective practice, and contributes to nursing science development.