The Compassionate Debrief: Redefining Post-Mission Reflection in HEMS with Leif Rognås & Karina Damsgaard

<p>In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoin-walker-9b5b8469" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Eoin Walker</strong></a> speaks with <a href="www.linkedin.com/in/leif-rognås-0711928b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Leif Rognås</strong></a> (consultant anaesthetist and clinical lead with the Danish Air Ambulance) and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-damsgaard-4921546" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Karina Damsgaard</strong> </a>(psychologist specialising in emergency medicine and resilience in high-performance teams).</p><p>Together, they unpack the concept of <strong>Compassionate Debriefing, </strong>an approach designed to replace traditional “honest debriefs” with something more supportive, psychologically safe, and effective for learning.</p><p>The discussion explores:</p><ul><li><p>Why traditional debrief models can fall short in complex, high-stakes environments</p></li><li><p>How compassionate debriefing fosters <strong>resilience, retention, and psychological safety</strong></p></li><li><p>Practical steps for shifting from critique to care in post-mission reflections</p></li><li><p>What further research is needed to embed this approach into HEMS and beyond</p></li></ul><p>A must-listen for clinicians, leaders, and anyone interested in the future of <strong>healthcare culture, wellbeing, and team performance</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.airmedicaljournal.com/article/S1067-991X(25)00203-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">You can read Karina&#39;s paper &#39;Common Mental Health Symptoms in Personnel Working in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: A Systematic Review&#39; here. </a></p>