TALK© debriefing as a tool to improve teamwork in emergency departments




Ariana Cerón-Apipilhuasco, Centro Anáhuac de Simulación Clínica, Universidad Anáhuac México, Ciudad de México, México
Jorge Loría-Castellanos, Coordination of Special Health Projects, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
Juan R. Mendoza-Carrillo, Centro Anáhuac de Simulación Clínica, Universidad Anáhuac México, Ciudad de México, México
Thalía L. Luna-Jiménez, Centro Anáhuac de Simulación Clínica, Universidad Anáhuac México, Ciudad de México, México
Andrés S. Pérez-Giráldez, Centro Anáhuac de Simulación Clínica, Universidad Anáhuac México, Ciudad de México, México
Jonathan Minian-Okon, Centro Anáhuac de Simulación Clínica, Universidad Anáhuac México, Ciudad de México, México
Natalia Bueno-Muñoz, Centro Anáhuac de Simulación Clínica, Universidad Anáhuac México, Ciudad de México, México


Providing healthcare in critical settings requires possession of strong interpersonal and communication skills. Evidence has shown that effective communication and teamwork have a significant impact on reducing errors and improving the quality of healthcare. Debriefing, a strategy that allows teams to reflect on their actions and improve together, has become an especially valuable tool for health services. The effectiveness of debriefing is supported by a broad evidence base supported by international health organizations that consider and recommend it as standard practice. However, the implementation of debriefing faces several challenges due to time and training constraints. In this context, the TALK© debriefing model, a standardized tool, designed to create safe spaces where teams can identify positive aspects and areas for improvement, is presented as an effective and easy to implement solution. Despite the obstacles, its application can significantly improve equipment performance, highlighting its valuable contribution in critical and urgent environments. Its implementation is recommended and the need for future research to adapt it to specific health care contexts is underlined.



Keywords: Medical education. Debriefing. Emergency.