The Monash Simulation team has just returned from Adelaide having delivered clinical event debriefing training for the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CAHLN) which includes the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The course brought together doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals with a shared goal of improving patient care and supporting staff through structured debriefing.
Clinical event, or “hot”, debriefing is a key feature of high-performing healthcare systems. It enables teams to reflect on complex challenging events, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and translate insights into meaningful changes in practice. Importantly, it also supports staff wellbeing by creating a space for open, constructive discussion.
The training emphasised practical, learner-centred approaches. Participants were introduced to hot debriefing concepts by Dr Ian Summers, a structured debriefing model by Dr Kerrianne Huynh, techniques to foster psychological safety by Jessica Gill, and strategies to navigate common challenges—such as conflict, power imbalances, time pressures, and strong emotions—by Dr Jonathon Devine and Tibor Withers. Simulation activities allowed participants to practise their own debriefing skills in a supportive environment and receive feedback and suggestions from our team.
Participant engagement was a standout feature of the visit. Attendees actively shared their experiences, enriching discussions and grounding learning in real-world practice. It was particularly rewarding to see CAHLN participants bring their authenticity and their own strengths to clinical event debriefing.
Interstate initiatives like this play an important role in building a culture of reflection, learning, and continuous improvement across healthcare settings. We thank CAHLN for their collaboration and look forward to seeing how these skills are applied within local teams. This visit reinforces a simple but powerful idea: when teams debrief well, they improve care, support one another, and strengthen the systems they work within.
If you are interested in hot debriefing training or our hot debriefing course, please contact us at monashsimulation@monashhealth.org.
More Participant Feedback:
“Thank you for coming and helping us on our debriefing journey. I’m really looking forward to using the knowledge gained in this course to help our people. Confidence will come with practice. I now feel I have the tools to improve my critical hot debriefing.”
“I found the whole day extremely valuable. I enjoyed having a clear structure, connecting and collaborating with other people in CALHN and listening from their amazing experience. Without knowing we were learning from each other with the same passion.”
Dr Kerrianne Huynh – Intensive Care Consultant, Simulation Instructor and Simulation Intensivist for the Monash Network
