Debriefing with good judgment: combining rigorous feedback with genuine inquiry

Abstract

Drawing on theory and empirical findings from a 35-year research program in the behavioral sciences on how to improve professional effectiveness through reflective practice, we develop a model of "debriefing with good judgment." The model specifies a rigorous reflection process that helps trainees surface and resolve pressing clinical and behavioral dilemmas raised by the simulation. Based on the authors' own experience using this approach in approximately 2000 debriefings, it was found that the "debriefing with good judgment" approach often sparks self-reflection and behavior change in trainees.