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* Context.-Feedback is the delivery of information based on direct observation that is meant to improve performance. Learning is at the heart of feedback, and as such, feedback is a required competency in pathology resident education. In the laboratory setting, the ability of laboratory professionals in all practice settings and experience levels to give and receive feedback is crucial to workflow and ultimately patient care.
Objective.-To summarize the importance of feedback, strategies for optimizing feedback exchange, and overcoming barriers to giving and receiving feedback.
Data Sources.-Peer-reviewed original articles, review articles, medical education literature, and published books on feedback and communication were reviewed to explore ideal methods of giving and receiving feedback and to identify common barriers to feedback exchange.
Conclusions.-Medical education literature emphasizes techniques for giving feedback and describes barriers often encountered to feedback exchange in medical practice. Effective feedback requires that the giver, receiver, and environment be carefully considered. Likewise, each of these factors can impose barriers to feedback exchange. Various methods for giving feedback have been described. All feedback should address a specific behavior, be nonevaluative in nature, and be followed by confirmation of understanding and an action plan. Few articles describe the importance of receiving feedback. Receiving feedback can be difficult, but it is enhanced by learning to listen and making conscious decisions regarding implementing the messages heard. Giving and receiving feedback become easier with practice.
(Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2019;143:244-250; doi: 10.5858/ arpa.2018-0058-RA)
IMPORTANCE OF FEEDBACK
Feedback is personalized information based on direct observation crafted and delivered so receivers can use the information to achieve their best potential. In the medical setting, feedback (or lack thereof) extends beyond self-improvement and ultimately impacts patient care. The ability to give and receive feedback is key for trainees, as an integral component of the professionalism competency. Feedback informs every human interaction we have in our professional and personal lives. This is true of all comers to pathology, including laboratory professionals, administrative assistants, medical students, allied health students, residents, and fellows, and is true for pathologists in all practice settings and at all experience levels.
Learning is at the heart of feedback, and feedback in medical education is important. Failure to provide feedback could be dire because ".. .mistakes go uncorrected, good performance is...