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

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker speaks with Leif Rognås (consultant anaesthetist and clinical lead with the Danish Air Ambulance) and Karina Damsgaard (psychologist specialising in emergency medicine and resilience in high-performance teams).

Together, they unpack the concept of Compassionate Debriefing, an approach designed to replace traditional “honest debriefs” with something more supportive, psychologically safe, and effective for learning.

The discussion explores:

• Why traditional debrief models can fall short in complex, high-stakes environments

• How compassionate debriefing fosters resilience, retention, and psychological safety

• Practical steps for shifting from critique to care in post-mission reflections

• What further research is needed to embed this approach into HEMS and beyond

A must-listen for clinicians, leaders, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare culture, wellbeing, and team performance.

You can read Karina's paper 'Common Mental Health Symptoms in Personnel Working in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: A Systematic Review' here.