Why Is Pre-Briefing Important for Reducing Staff Stress During a Competency Assessment?

Why Is Pre-Briefing Important for Reducing Staff Stress During a Competency Assessment?

After building the scenario assessment, the staff need to be prepared. Since this is a new process, for the first year and even in subsequent years, staff need to be prepared for that year's objectives and goals. This is the pre-briefing.

A pre-briefing script should also be developed and used consistently for every staff assessment, so everyone receives the same direction. The script should include ground rules for requesting more information during the scenario, requesting assistance with a skill that requires more than one person, and clarifying expectations, supplies, and available resources. There is no benefit to making this a surprise for staff; surprise only adds stress, and that is not the goal. Think about how a pop quiz feels: stressful, and not conducive to your best performance. The goal is not to catch staff off guard, but to make sure they are prepared and know what to expect.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from Sara Murphy, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS.