Simulation debriefing: a perspective from emergency medical care students at three South African Higher Education Institutions

INTRODUCTION: simulation-based learning (SBL) is an educational technique that is used to create lifelike experiences within a controlled setting. Feedback and debriefing have been described as most important components in healthcare simulation. Providing feedback or debriefing loses its efficacy if it is not performed correctly. The results of poor feedback or debriefing practice may negatively affect future student performance. It is important to identify both positive and negative current practice so as to better understand the potential effects on student learning. There is a paucity of evidence relating to debriefing within the resource-constrained environment. METHODS: a cross-sectional design collected data using a purpose-designed, paper-based questionnaire that was validated using a pilot study. We collected data from three South African higher education institutions (HEI) offering emergency medical care qualifications. Questionnaires were distributed on-site at each HEI by an academic staff member and were returned to the researchers via courier. Participants were recruited from the second, third and fourth academic years of study. Responses were captured manually and imported into Microsoft Excel for analysis. RESULTS: we collected 153 completed questionnaires from three South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Student perceptions of debriefing practices were generally positive. There were general feelings of psychological safety and an understanding between students and facilitator related to why debriefing took place. Linking debrief and learning outcomes was perceived as making debriefing meaningful to students. Question-asking techniques by facilitators were mixed, but were generally asked in a manner that encouraged self-reflection. Peer-led debriefing was perceived as good practice and a single facilitator was preferred to multiple facilitators. CONCLUSION: several strategies related to effective feedback and debriefing were identified by the student participants as already being employed by facilitators. The potentially negative effect of multiple facilitators was highlighted by participants who indicated that they preferred a single debriefer for the entire academic year. Peer-led debriefing was perceived as a positive practice and has a number of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered and mitigated by the facilitator.