Practice of debriefing of critical events: a survey-based cross-sectional study of Portuguese anesthesiologists

Abstract

Debriefing is an essential procedure for identifying medical errors, improving communication, reviewing team performance, and providing emotional support after a critical event. This study aimed to describe the current practice and limitations of debriefing and gauge opinions on the best timing, effectiveness, need for training, use of established format, and expected goals of debriefing among Portuguese anesthesiologists.

Methods: We performed a national cross-sectional online survey exploring the practice of anesthesiologists' debriefing practice after critical events in Portuguese hospitals. The questionnaire was distributed using a snowball sampling technique from July to September 2021. Data were descriptively and comparatively analyzed.

Results: We had replies from 186 anesthesiologists (11.3% of the Portuguese pool). Acute respiratory event was the most reported type of critical event (96%). Debriefing occurred rarely or never in 53% of cases, 59% of respondents needed more training in debriefing, and only 4% reported having specific tools in their institutions to carry it out. There was no statistical association between having a debriefing protocol and the occurrence of critical events (P=.474) or having trained personnel (P=.95). The existence of protocols was associated with lower frequencies of debriefing (P=.017).

Conclusions: Portuguese anesthesiologists know that debriefing is an essential process that increases patient safety, but among those surveyed, there is a need for an adequate debriefing culture or practice.

Trial registration: Research registry 7741 (https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home).

Keywords: Portugal; anesthesia; critical event; debriefing; health care CRM.