A Combination of Self-debriefing and Instructor-led Debriefing Improves Team Effectiveness in Health Science Students.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Debriefing is considered a critical component of simulation-based learning, but the differences between different debriefing methods remain unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the debriefing assessment, problem-solving process, and team effectiveness among students who received instructor-led debriefing, self-debriefing, and combined debriefing. METHODS: An experimental design was conducted with 250 students (nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy). Differences in the Debriefing Experience Scale (DES), Problem Solving Inventory (PSI), and Communication and Teamwork Skills (CATS) assessment between the groups were measured. RESULTS: In nursing students, the combined debriefing group had the highest scores for the CATS assessment (P < .001) and for the coordination (P < .001), cooperation (P = .012), and communication (P = .002) categories. No significant differences were observed between debriefing groups for DES or PSI. CONCLUSIONS: Combined debriefing improves communication and team skills in students. Educators might promote combined debriefing after simulation sessions as it seems to improve team effectiveness.