What is the goal of a debrief session?

The primary goal of a debrief session is to discuss performance improvements. During a debrief, team members come together to reflect on their recent experiences, analyze what went well and what could be improved. This kind of conversation is crucial for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, as it enables the team to learn from their experiences, identify areas for enhancement, and implement changes in practice based on those discussions.

Highlighting performance improvements encourages an open dialogue where team members can share feedback in a constructive manner. The focus is on learning and growing together as a team, which ultimately leads to enhanced patient safety and team efficacy. By concentrating on performance, the debrief empowers the team to make informed adjustments going forward, refining their approaches and processes in real-time based on collective insights.

While designating leadership roles, evaluating new member contributions, and creating future goals can be part of team dynamics and planning, these elements do not capture the essence of what a debrief session aims to achieve. The primary purpose remains centered on analyzing and improving performance, making it a critical component in the TeamSTEPPS framework for effective teamwork and patient safety.