Surgery residents and attending surgeons have different perceptions of feedback

Abstract

Feedback plays an important role in Postgraduate Medical Education and is indispensable in surgical training. Improvement in operating skills, for example, requires constant feedback between teacher and learner to promote reflection on performance. Prior to providing workshops on giving effective feedback, the goal of this study was to assess the perceptions of attending surgeons and residents on feedback practices in our program. We show a startling disparity in perceptions of feedback frequency and skills. The results were used in planning a Workshop on Giving Feedback for our faculty. The effectiveness of this Workshop will be assessed at a later date by administering the same questionnaire.