Pre-Brief in Simulation-Based Experiences: A Scoping Review of the Literature

• Published in: Clinical simulation in nursing 2021-12, Vol.61, p.86-95
• Main Authors: El Hussein, Mohamed, Harvey, Giuliana, Kilfoil, Lauren
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: nursing education; pre-brief; psychological safety; Simulation; Standards of best practice
• ISSN: 1876-1399; 1876-1402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2021.08.003

•There is currently a lack of evidence related to the pre-brief aspect of a simulation-based experience.•The pre-brief is an essential aspect of the the simulation-based experience.•The pre-brief creates a space for the development of psychological safety by ensuring transparency of expectations and learning objectives.•The pre-brief is associated with reducing learners’ stress, optimizing skills and knowledge, and facilitating a reflective and constructive debriefing. Despite extensive research in simulation, few studies explored the impact of pre-brief on students’ learning during simulation-based experiences. This scoping review is the first to present available evidence related to the pre-brief component of simulation-based experiences and its impact on achieving learning outcomes. PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases were searched for articles focusing on pre-brief with no date or geographic restrictions. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were integrated in the scoping review. Simulation experiences following standardized practices of pre-briefing, scenario or case, and debriefing, achieved several educational and professional outcome measures. While studies that isolated the pre-brief effects were limited, findings indicate a significant improvement in outcome measures related to psychological safety and confidence levels. Pre-brief was also associated with reducing learners’ stress, optimizing skills and knowledge, and facilitating a reflective and constructive debriefing. It is essential that simulation facilitators implement pre-brief consistently to create psycholgocial safety for learners, using a standardized approach. More research is required to determine degree to which the pre-brief contributes to simulation outcomes.