TALK Debriefing in Clinical Practice: Training and Perception of Healthcare Professionals in a Hospital in Seridó Potiguar
Keywords: Clinical debriefing; TALK method; Health simulation; Interprofessional learning; Patient safety.
Health simulation allows professionals to practice essential skills in controlled and safe environments, and clinical debriefing is a strategic tool to organize and enhance feedback moments. The TALK method (Target, Analyse, Learning points, Key actions) promotes critical reflection, meaningful learning, and effective communication, being especially relevant in interprofessional and high-complexity contexts. This study aimed to train healthcare professionals in the application of the TALK Debriefing method and to understand their perceptions of the practice. Twelve professionals participated, predominantly women (83.3%), including 50.0% nurses, 16.7% physicians, and 16.7% nursing technicians, with a mean age of 33.8 years and an average of 5.1 years working in cardiology. Half of the participants had prior patient safety experience, and 58.3% had specific cardiology training. Over the last five years, 50.0% had received training in effective communication, and 75.0% reported having experienced communication failures. Qualitative analysis followed the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) methodology, including collection of key expressions, definition of central ideas, identification of anchoring elements, grouping into thematic blocks, and construction of collective discourses. Results indicate that the TALK method promotes reflection, active learning, communication and teamwork, practical guidance for improving care, consolidation of a non-punitive culture, and overall satisfaction. Weaknesses were mainly related to team and resource limitations. Course evaluation was predominantly positive, with participants feeling prepared to participate in or conduct clinical debriefings and recommending the course to colleagues. In summary, the TALK Debriefing method is an effective, applicable, and relevant educational strategy that fosters interprofessional competencies, patient safety, and meaningful learning.