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Helping the helpers: debriefing following an adverse incident
Author(s) -
Vaithilingam Nirmala,
Jain Smita,
Davies David
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.10.4.251.27442
Subject(s) - debriefing , blame , medicine , adverse effect , psychology , action (physics) , patient safety , health care , nursing , medical education , psychiatry , physics , quantum mechanics , economics , economic growth
• A significant proportion of healthcare workers will experience some degree of critical incident stress following adverse events. • Individuals’ responses range from common, uncomplicated stress‐related reactions to the more complex post‐traumatic stress disorder. • Under‐reporting of clinical incidents results mainly from fear of litigation and disciplinary action. • Debriefing should be an essential component of critical incident stress management.Learning objectives:• To be aware of how healthcare staff can be supported effectively following an adverse incident. • To learn about the seven phases of the Mitchell debriefing model.Ethical issues:• Disclosure of adverse events all too often results in disciplinary action: this ‘blame culture’ is to the detriment of patients and staff.Please cite this article as: Vaithilingam N, Jain S, Davies D. Helping the helpers: debriefing following an adverse incident. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:251–256.