Just Accepted
This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.
Applying an after-action review process to examine a complex public health response in NSW, Australia: lessons for reflective practice
Abstract
Objectives: After-action reviews (AAR) are used to systematically examine the functions, capabilities and barriers impacting effective pandemic responses. This paper describes the methods used and the lessons learnt from undertaking the first formal state-wide AAR of the public health response to COVID-19 in NSW, Australia.
Type of program or service: A state-wide AAR was applied to examine the public health response to COVID-19 conducted by NSW Health from January 2020 until May 2022.
Methods: The AAR was conducted between March and November 2022. The World Health Organization ARR approach was used and involved 6 stages including 1. AAR design 2. AAR planning 3. Team debriefs 4. Workshop preparation 5. Consensus workshop and 6. AAR report review and finalisation.
Results: The AAR process involved over 100 people across the NSW network through surveys, team debriefs and workshops. The stepped process used to complete the review, with standardised templates, was found to be acceptable and feasible. The preparatory stage elicited important insights, provided an opportunity for structured reflection and helped to identify themes for discussion in the workshop. Feedback methods included two participant satisfaction surveys and one post-implementation review session which identified strengths in the process and areas that could be modified for future iterations of other public health reviews in NSW.
Lessons learnt: The AAR process successfully engaged multi-disciplinary pandemic response staff in a systematic reflection process. The process was perceived by most participants as a highly valuable opportunity to reflect, and led to important findings to improve current and future public health emergency responses. It is important the scope of the AAR is well understood by participants and the psychological needs of the workforce considered in the AAR process. There is merit in applying such reviews as standard practice in future public health emergencies.
PU24011 Accepted 13 October 2024
© CSIRO 2024
