If you require immediate support, please call Converge International on 1300 687 327 in Australia or 0800 666 367 in New Zealand, and identify yourself as an ANZCA fellow, trainee or SIMG.
Our Critical Incident Debriefing Toolkit provides a comprehensive, evidence-based resource on what are critical incidents, how to provide support and a hot debrief following a critical incident. It can be read in sections or as a whole.
Understanding and acknowledging the importance of preparing for and delivering critical incident debriefing (CID), the College together with the Trainee Wellbeing Project Group (TPWG) undertook to develop a suite of informed, accessible and diverse training resources for fellows and trainees during and following critical incidents.
This online educational CID toolkit has been made possible through funding provided by the Australian government’s Specialist Training Program (STP) and the work of respected and highly experienced advanced clinical social worker Dr Liz Crowe. Liz (Dr Crowe) has two and a half decades of expertise in grief, crisis, end of life care, bereavement work, debriefing and staff wellbeing in paediatric critical care environments. Her work with anaesthetists is also well known and highly regarded.
The toolkit has a particular emphasis on resources that will support and educate trainees, their supervisors and heads of department in regional and remote health services, while still being relevant and valuable for all anaesthetists, anywhere.
In order to build this toolkit, comprehensive research has been undertaken including multiple literature searches, a survey, focus groups and a number of tailored pilot sessions as well as a peer review.
Debriefing ideally creates a space where we can reflect on what went well and we need to consciously repeat again in the future, and what were the challenges and things we consciously would change into that future. Debriefing also allows us to acknowledge any confronting scenes or emotions that need to be normalised and shared
What to expect from the CID toolkit
How to use the resources
Helping us keep this resource relevant
In closing
This toolkit could not have been developed nor would it reflect what is actually required for critical incident debriefing without the support of a number of individuals and organisations. We would like to thank all of them for their generosity and openness in sharing their time, insights, expertise and experiences. Know that your work has paved the way for many others to benefit and learn.
Importantly, this toolkit will be far reaching. In addition to STP training sites and regional and remote clinicians, it has the potential to benefit and support all anaesthetists, inclusive of trainees, supervisors of training, SIMGs, wellbeing advocates and consultants.
Building a culture where it is okay to feel a range of emotions and to be brave enough to keep learning, and where we feel supported are the foundations for lifelong wellbeing.
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We support a number of services and initiatives which are underpinned by our commitment outlined in our Doctors' Health and Wellbeing Framework.
As part of our ongoing support for our fellows, trainees, and SIMGs, ANZCA has engaged the professional services of Converge International – a confidential and independent counselling and coaching program.
We have developed a directory of doctors' health advisory services and helplines in Australia and New Zealand.
ANZCA considers bullying, discrimination and harassment unacceptable behaviour that will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Fellows and trainees acting as college representatives are responsible for ensuring an environment free of this behaviour.
The TWPG helps to provide trainees with tangible and practical outcomes to support their wellbeing and their engagement with the college.
Wellbeing advocates are recommended for all ANZCA and FPM accredited hospitals.
The ANZCA doctors health and wellbeing framework informs our strategic and operational efforts in the wellbeing space.
Find out what else we're doing to improve doctors' health and wellbeing.
This toolkit is a resource to support anaesthesia departments and individual anaesthetists to operationalise a framework they can put into action.
The aim of the Wellbeing SIG is to promote personal wellbeing and to heighten awareness of wellbeing issues in anaesthetists and pain medicine specialists. The group is an informative, educative and referral group; it has no therapeutic role.