Debriefing decreases mental workload in surgical crisis: A randomized controlled trial

This study investigates the effects of debriefing on mental workload among junior surgical residents during simulated surgical crises. Twenty residents participated in high-fidelity simulations, with one group receiving instructor-led debriefing and performance feedback, while the control group did not. Mental workload was measured in real time using a wireless device that tracked response times to vibrations. The results showed that the debriefing group had a significantly reduced median response time in the post-test, indicating lower mental workload compared to the control group.

The findings suggest that debriefing can enhance trainees' performance by alleviating mental workload during subsequent crisis scenarios. This implies that structured learning through debriefing may be a valuable strategy to improve patient safety and operative performance in high-pressure situations.