Neurosurgical Briefing

While healthcare should not be compared to other high-reliability organizations (HROs), many lessons, attitudes, and transferable practices can be applied and adapted from them to improve patient safety and team morale. Despite briefings improving both patient safety and effective teamwork, some in healthcare have not valued or actively engaged with them, deeming them to be irrelevant.

Davidson et al. in a pilot study explored the experiences of, and attitudes to, briefings using a 10-question Survey Monkey. This was promoted during a human factors session at the 2023 Association of Surgeons in Training Conference (ASiT) and a large NHS trust. Questions were asked about the number of briefings per day, attitudes, engagement, and respondents' attitudes to them. In total, 109 responses were received. A total of 85% reported at least one briefing on a normal operating day, 65% felt them to be interactive, 67% reported that briefings were led by the most senior surgical team member, and 58% lasted four minutes or more. Eighteen percent of respondents felt they were of little benefit, and 56% don't routinely do a debriefing at the end of the day. This study has highlighted variable attitudes to team briefings, with some colleagues still seeing them as a 'tick box' exercise. While culture has changed following the introduction of the WHO checklist, the importance of active engagement and education to improve the delivery and value of effective briefings cannot be overestimated. It is also an opportunity to create a 'safe space' for team members and to confirm zero tolerance for any inappropriate behavior, including sexual misconduct ¹⁾.

Miscommunication and poor coordination among surgical teams are known causes of preventable medical harm and operating room inefficiencies and inhibit surgical training. Technology may help overcome these challenges ²⁾

A briefing is a concise and comprehensive presentation of information, instructions, or updates provided to the neurosurgery team. It is a communication process designed to convey important details, set expectations, or provide guidance on a particular subject, event, task, project, or situation. Briefings are commonly used in various contexts, including healthcare.

“Briefing” and “debriefing” are terms often used in different contexts, and they have distinct meanings:

Briefing:

Definition: A briefing is a meeting or session in which information, instructions, or updates are given to individuals or a group. Purpose: The purpose of a briefing is to convey essential information, provide instructions, or share details about a specific situation, task, project, or mission. Timing: Briefings are typically conducted before an event, task, or project to ensure that individuals are well-informed and prepared.

Debriefing:

Debriefing is a meeting or session that occurs after an event, task, or project, during which individuals or a team review and discuss what happened, share experiences, and analyze outcomes. The purpose of a debriefing is to reflect on the events that transpired, learn from experiences, identify strengths and weaknesses, and improve future performance. Debriefings typically take place after the completion of an activity, allowing participants to discuss their observations and insights. Example: After a research project is completed, team members participate in a debriefing session to discuss the results, challenges faced, and potential improvements for future projects.

In summary, a briefing is a pre-event or pre-task session focused on providing information and instructions, while a debriefing is a post-event or post-task session focused on reflecting, learning, and improving based on the experiences and outcomes of the activity. Both briefings and debriefings are important components of effective communication and performance improvement in various fields, including healthcare, and research.

Conciseness: Briefings are characterized by the delivery of essential information clearly and concisely, avoiding unnecessary details or complexity.

Relevance: The information presented in a briefing is directly related to the topic at hand, ensuring that the audience receives pertinent details for their understanding or action.

Clarity: Briefings aim to communicate information straightforwardly and understandably, using language that is accessible to the audience.

Purposeful: Briefings have a specific purpose, whether it is to inform, instruct, update, or prepare individuals for a task or event.

Timeliness: Briefings are often conducted before an event, task, or project to ensure that individuals are well-prepared and have the necessary information to carry out their responsibility.

Interaction: Depending on the context, briefings may involve interaction between the presenter and the audience, allowing for questions or clarification.

The effectiveness of a briefing relies on the ability to convey information clearly and efficiently, addressing the needs and expectations of the audience.

On-call incidents.

1. Patient Care

2. Surgical Procedures:

3. Patient Management:

4. Collaboration:

5. Research and Academia:

6. Administrative Tasks:

7. On-call Duties

Admitted Individuals Awaiting Decisions:

This category typically includes patients who have been admitted to the hospital, but their exact course of treatment or medical interventions may still be under consideration or evaluation. This could involve awaiting test results, consultations with specialists, or decisions regarding the appropriate treatment plan.

Those Awaiting Surgery:

This category refers to individuals who have been admitted to the hospital and are waiting to undergo a surgical procedure. The wait may be due to factors such as scheduling, preparation, or the need to stabilize the patient's condition before surgery. In a healthcare setting, maintaining organized and accurate lists of patients and their status is crucial for effective patient care and management

Preoperative Briefing.

Complications the day before

Consultation

Referral