Nabespreking

Nabespreking is a Dutch term for a structured follow-up discussion conducted after a particular event, activity, or assignment. The word combines na- meaning after and bespreking meaning discussion, and it is often translated as debriefing or after-action review. The aim is to reflect on what happened, why it happened, and how to improve going forward.

The concept is used across multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, public safety, sports, and business. Participants typically include professionals directly involved in the event, a facilitator or supervisor, and sometimes external observers. The exact format varies, but the underlying purpose is consistent: to learn from the experience and to prevent recurrence of problems while reinforcing effective practices.

Key objectives of a nabespreking are to establish an accurate timeline of events, identify strengths and weaknesses, determine root causes, and agree on concrete actions. It should be conducted relatively soon after the event to ensure relevance, and in a setting that supports psychological safety and open, blame-free discussion. Documentation of insights and action items is common, though sensitivity and confidentiality considerations apply, especially in contexts involving personnel performance.

Typical structure may include a brief recap of events, a chronological review, discussion of what went well and what did not, analysis of contributing factors, and the formulation of follow-up actions with assigned responsibilities and timelines. While reminiscent of debriefings in other languages, nabespreking emphasizes collective learning and process improvement rather than punitive evaluation.

See also: debriefing, after-action review, post-event evaluation. Examples include hospital code reviews, after-sport match discussions, and post-incident assessments in emergency services.

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