The positive impact of feedback: enhancing professional growth for doctors
The process of receiving feedback is not always something that makes us feel entirely comfortable, and it is suggested that this discomfort comes from a place of fear. As highlighted in the Harvard Business Review’s article “Fear of Feedback”, most people do not like receiving feedback because we don’t like to be criticised, therefore it is likely that we will be sensitive to hearing about our imperfections. This could potentially make receiving feedback within the workplace a slightly arduous process.
However, feedback, when delivered and received effectively, can have a profoundly positive impact on professional growth, particularly in the medical field. And it’s not just useful – it’s an essential component of the revalidation process for doctors. This feedback provides valuable insights into a doctor’s performance, interpersonal skills, and the quality of care they deliver. By systematically gathering and reflecting on this feedback, doctors can identify areas for improvement and ensure they meet the high standards required for revalidation. This continuous loop of evaluation and growth underpins the ethos of medical professionalism, ultimately enhancing patient care and trust in the healthcare system.
Credible and accurate feedback
In a study from the British Medical Journal conducted on the impact of workplace-based assessments on doctors, the results based on 16 studies using multi-source feedback suggested that changes in performance were most likely to happen when the feedback was credible and accurate, or when coaching was provided to help identify strengths and weaknesses. This underscores the importance of ensuring that feedback is not only reflective of actual performance but also provided in a context that promotes growth.
Effective feedback delivery and learning integration
Furthermore, study results from the Association for the Study of Medical Education on the process of feedback in workplace-based assessment, explain the importance of the feedback content, the way it is provided and incorporating it within learning. Feedback that is specific, actionable, and delivered in a supportive manner is more likely to be embraced and acted upon. This approach encourages an environment where continuous improvement is valued and pursued.
Feedback as a cornerstone for effective leadership
Finally, an article from Jeremiah Rogito on the art and act of providing feedback at the workplace explains that “feedback is the cornerstone for effective leadership, and without feedback, good practices are not reinforced, poor performance is not corrected and the path to improvement is not identified” (2023). For doctors, who often hold leadership roles within their teams, the ability to give and receive feedback effectively is crucial for both personal development and the growth of their teams.
Enhancing the feedback process with Doctor 360
Findings from these studies suggest that the feedback process is most beneficial when it is conducted correctly, feedback is given accurately, and it can be used for future professional development. These are elements that we believe are a highly important part of the feedback process. Our Doctor 360 platform has been designed to be user-friendly, providing full anonymity for colleagues and patients to ensure honest and accurate feedback can be given.
Our Doctor 360 Workbook also incorporates the Johari Window, which has been specifically designed for self-reflection and feedback analysis following an appraisal. To visit the full blog on our Workbook, you can find this here Doctor 360 Workbook | Doctor 360.
Constructive and helpful feedback for professional development
Our Doctor 360 colleague and patient feedback questionnaires have been designed to pinpoint the key areas of performance that will enable constructive, accurate and helpful feedback that can be used for professional development. Our GMC validated questionnaires specifically incorporate in-depth question sets so that the quantity of questions required are fewer than other providers. We believe that our user-friendly and ever-developing platform offering reports that include concise, constructive and helpful feedback, are an extremely beneficial tool that have a positive impact on the professional development of doctor’s and other medical professionals.
Embracing feedback is a significant step towards professional growth and excellence in the medical field. By ensuring that feedback is credible, accurate, and constructively delivered, doctors can continually refine their skills and enhance their performance. Our Doctor 360 platform is committed to facilitating this process, providing the tools necessary for doctors to receive meaningful feedback that drives their development
For information on how our colleague feedback questionnaire was first developed, please visit our blog here. Or to find out more about our Doctor 360 system, email us at support@edgecumbe.co.uk.