Exploring the clinical debrief: benefits and barriers

Paramedics are regularly exposed to traumatic situations in the prehospital environment, which can profoundly affect their emotional resilience. A debrief is a recognised tool that is used to manage the aftermath of such events. Its aims are to unpick the components of the situation, identify any issues or achievements in clinical care, highlight learning points to improve future practice and safeguard the clinician’s emotional wellbeing. This article explores the benefits of and barriers to debriefing in clinical practice as well as the emerging debate around the potential harm or benefit of single-session debriefing.

Kate Snowdon -

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