Faculty Development for Medical Educators

The ability to deliver effective feedback is an essential skill for the medical educator. This section contains information and resources about the fundamentals of formative assessment as well as a framework for delivering effective feedback, both affirming and constructive.

Below is a recording of the session on effective feedback that was given as part of the RSOM Faculty Development Series.

Feedback is an assessment for learning rather than an assessment of learning. 

• It focuses on what will or should happen in the  future, is formative, and is repetitive.  
• It is an appraisal of performance,
• It is constructive, non-evaluative, and objective.
• It's purpose is to improve skills.

Effective feedback is:

• Formative and constructive
• Non-judgmental
• Brief
• Timely
• Private/confidential
• Focused on behaviors and actionable items

When giving feedback:

• Don't use vague words or statements such as
  • Good job
  • Read more
  • You're being unprofessional
• Instead be more specific
  • What specific things are they doing that is good.
  • What particular content do they need to study based on skills or knowledge they are lacking.
  • What are they doing that is unprofessional.

In order to get the most out of their educational experience students need feedback.  

Education without feedback leads to:

• A plateau in performance
• Learner anxiety
• An inaccurate perception by students on how they are doing.
• Disappointments and surprises,