The feedback dilemma in medical education: insights from medical residents’ perspectives

Bibliographic Details
Title: The feedback dilemma in medical education: insights from medical residents’ perspectives
Authors: Sara Shafian, Mehran Ilaghi, Yasamin Shahsavani, Maryam Okhovati, Adel Soltanizadeh, Sarah Aflatoonian, Ali Karamoozian
Source: BMC Medical Education, Vol 24, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2024)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Special aspects of education
LCC:Medicine
Subject Terms: Feedback, Medical residents, Medical education, Clinical training, Special aspects of education, LC8-6691, Medicine
More Details: Abstract Background Feedback is a critical component of the learning process in a clinical setting. This study aims to explore medical residents’ perspectives on feedback delivery and identify potential barriers to feedback-seeking in clinical training. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 180 medical residents across seventeen specialties. We employed the validated Residency Education Feedback Level Evaluation in Clinical Training (REFLECT) tool to assess residents’ perspectives on their attitude toward feedback, quality of feedback, perceived importance, and reaction to feedback. Additionally, we explored barriers to feedback-seeking behavior among medical residents. Results The majority of medical residents held positive attitudes toward feedback. They agreed that feedback improves their clinical performance (77.7%), professional behavior (67.2%), and academic motivation (56.7%), while also influencing them to become a better specialist in their future career (72.8%). However, the study revealed critical deficiencies in the feedback process. Only 25.6% of residents reported receiving regular feedback and less than half reported that feedback was consistently delivered at suitable times and locations, was sufficiently clear or included actionable plans for improvement. A minority (32.2%) agreed that faculty had sufficient skills to deliver feedback effectively. Moreover, peer-to-peer feedback appeared to be a primary source of feedback among residents. Negative feedback, though necessary, often triggered feelings of stress, embarrassment, or humiliation. Notably, there were no significant differences in feedback perceptions among different specialties. The absence of a feedback-seeking culture emerged as a central barrier to feedback-seeking behavior in the clinical setting. Conclusions Establishing shared expectations and promoting a culture of feedback-seeking could bridge the gap between residents’ perceptions and faculty feedback delivery. Furthermore, recognizing the role of senior and peer residents as valuable feedback sources can contribute to more effective feedback processes in clinical training, ultimately benefiting resident development and patient care.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1472-6920
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1472-6920
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05398-y
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/1f98e93fbbf640d6a7c8ea7829e19288
Accession Number: edsdoj.1f98e93fbbf640d6a7c8ea7829e19288
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:14726920
DOI:10.1186/s12909-024-05398-y
Published in:BMC Medical Education
Language:English