What is a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)?

A critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is specifically designed as a structured process for emotional support provided to individuals who have experienced significant trauma or stress related to critical incidents. The primary goal of CISD is to help emergency services personnel, including EMS providers, process their feelings and thoughts following distressing events they have witnessed or participated in.

The debriefing often occurs in a group setting where participants can share their experiences, emotions, and reactions in a supportive environment. This process not only helps individuals cope with the immediate psychological impacts of a critical incident but can also prevent the development of more severe stress reactions and promote resilience among team members.

Other options such as a review of medical protocols or methods for patient assessment do not align with the purpose of CISD, which is focused on providing emotional support rather than clinical or legal aspects of emergency services.