UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Misc

Title: Feedback as a Teaching Tool

Keywords: Feedback, Teaching (PubMed Search)

Posted: 1/26/2009 by Rob Rogers, MD (Updated: 10/9/2024)
Click here to contact Rob Rogers, MD

Feedback as a Teaching Tool

Why do we, in general, stink at giving feedback?

  • We were never taught how to do it
  • We fear we will hurt someone's feelings
  • It's painful to give feedback

Consider a few quick pearls that will increase your success at giving valuable feedback:

  • Realize that learners (students/residents) crave feedback....proven in multiple studies
  • Feedback IS a powerful teaching tool and isn't just a way of evaluating someone.
  • Avoid at all cost, the phrase,"good job." Be specific about what you mean
  • Praise in public, perfect in private
  • Avoid the "complain syndrome" and don't fall victim to it. This refers to the phenomenon in which we complain about a behavior or trait and NEVER actuall tell the person. We have all done it. Set yourself apart from others by giving the learner the needed feedback.
  • Learners won't improve without feedback. Just like the Nike commercial says,"Just do it!"