What is the primary purpose of the "briefing" in TeamSTEPPS?

The primary purpose of the "briefing" in TeamSTEPPS is to establish team goals, roles, and plans before starting a task. This step is crucial for promoting effective communication among team members and ensuring that everyone is aligned and understands their responsibilities. By outlining specific objectives, clarifying individual roles, and discussing the plans for the task at hand, briefings facilitate a shared understanding and prepare the team to work efficiently and effectively.

Establishing clear goals and roles during the briefing helps to minimize confusion and streamline teamwork, creating a productive environment right from the start. Briefings also serve as a proactive measure to identify potential obstacles and clarify expectations, contributing to enhanced performance and patient safety.

While reviewing past performance, conducting post-task analyses, and motivating team members are important components of team dynamics, they occur at different stages of team engagement and do not encompass the primary focus of the briefing phase. The briefing is specifically designed to set the stage for upcoming tasks, making it a critical part of the TeamSTEPPS framework for teamwork and communication in healthcare settings.