A Multi-Level Approach to Pre-Briefing and Debriefing in a Pediatric Interdisciplinary Simulation

Abstract

A unique, progressive multidisciplinary simulation was developed for a pediatric end-of life experience.
In order to prepare all participants, regardless of discipline, extensive pre-briefing and
reflective debriefing was developed. The project included seven evolving pediatric simulations,
each one with multiple disciplines participating, over a four-week period. Key components of
the pre-briefing stages included learning about the topic of end-of-life, understanding the different
inter-professional roles, teamwork, and feeling comfortable with the simulation environment.
Reflective debriefing was carried out in small groups immediately after the simulation
with objective feedback and affirmation of interdisciplinary teamwork, skills, and communication.
A second culminating debriefing also occurred which offered the students the ability to
pull their experiences together and reflect and compare their perceptions to those of an actual
survivor of the same disease. This project revealed to faculty the importance of using multistaged
pre-briefing and debriefing in a progressive multidisciplinary pediatric simulation.