More secure expectations
Our expectations of ourselves and others are practical, sincere and gentle. Our habitual mindset of striving for perfection, appreciating the self-sacrifice of "heroes" and insisting on strict self-criticism is wrong at best, and at worst may not be conducive to this harsh Covid-19 environment. Protecting our patients is always important. With Covid-19, we should protect ourselves and our colleagues first. It may feel counterintuitive, but if we are not protected physically and psychologically, more people will get sick, and our patients will be less likely to receive treatment and recover.
A safer conversation
Instead of losing face, we should be clear about the concerns and uncertainties we all feel. We should name and normalize these feelings, allowing each other to express and communicate them. The key is to develop and embed safe zones, safe places, and safe approaches that keep us out of the conversation in any other context. Building on the human element and refining methodology and fashion, we want to move from a rational, objective approach to pre-briefing and debriefing to one centered on human emotions and emotions.