Debriefing Trainees After Global Health Experiences: An Expert Consensus Delphi Study

Global health (GH) opportunities in pediatric residencies are prevalent. Debriefing trainees after a GH experience is a tool to optimize educational processing, identify post-return stressors, and facilitate coping skills; however, there are no consensus recommendations for debriefing in this context.

Our objective was to develop structure and content guidelines for standardized debriefing of residents returning from short-term clinical GH rotations abroad.

Through a modified Delphi methodology, we developed a standardized consensus-based debriefing tool. Eleven pediatric GH education experts were recruited. Experts were individuals with leadership experience in GH education who demonstrated academic engagement by either primary or senior authorship of a publication or relevant presentation at a conference. The expert panel (EP) completed 4 surveys that were amended after each round based on qualitative data, which was assessed for emergent themes. In the final round, the EP rated each consensus recommendation in importance using a 4-point Likert scale.

Ten of the 11 panelists completed all study rounds. The EP achieved consensus that residents should complete post-return debriefing and rated 32 consensus recommendations in importance. Twelve recommendations were deemed "essential"; these debriefing recommendations focused on timing and preparation, reflection and feedback, trainee well-being and coping skills, ethical concerns, and the need to provide mental health support and resources for trainees with psychological distress.

According to GH experts, all residents who participate in GH experiences should participate in a post-return debrief. Thirty-two consensus recommendations regarding content, timing, structure, and actions for post-return debriefing were formulated.