The Impact of the Simulation Debriefing Process on Learning Outcomes – An Umbrella Review Protocol

Over the past decade, organizations have written and adapted standards to help educators debrief simulation-based experiences. The Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best PracticeTM emphasize the significance of a debriefing process to create an environment of safe learning. However, a current gap in the literature exists regarding the impact of incorporating the vital element of debriefing upon learning outcomes in the simulation environment. This umbrella review protocol outlines the identification, critical appraisal, and synthesis of the impact of the debriefing process upon healthcare learners’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors. An interprofessional committee of simulation educators under the guidance of a health science librarian will search five databases for review articles using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Inclusion criteria will include systematic reviews that focus on the impact of the debriefing process on healthcare learners’ outcomes. Abstracts deemed relevant in meeting the inclusion criteria will undergo full-text review. The umbrella review will inform evidence-based practices related to the debriefing process to support the delivery of high-quality simulation that promote a culture of inclusion, trust, and safety.