Learning the Language of Debriefing: Insights from Expert Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

Background: A forensic sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) provides specialized care for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. Because the training of new SANEs is critical for expanding the workforce, simulation and debriefing are used due to limited clinical learning opportunities with assault survivors. Debriefing following the simulation requires an expert SANE, yet very often these clinicians are new to debriefing; little is known about how expert SANEs learn to debrief. Method: A 90-minute focus group interview was conducted with three experienced SANEs who had completed a five-video debriefing training and conducted at least two debriefings with novice SANE trainees. Results: Inductive qualitative content analysis resulted in two primary categories and six sub-categories that described the process of expert SANEs learning to debrief. Conclusion: Expert SANEs compared learning to debrief to learning a new language. Participants described how reflective debriefing and trauma-informed interviewing both emphasize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, fostering open communication, promoting self-awareness and learning, empowering individuals, and adopting a non-judgmental approach.