Junior doctor perceptions of education and feedback on ward rounds

The literature suggests that feedback is wanted and needed in clinical medicine and specifically on ward rounds, yet it is often lacking. This study aimed to examine junior doctor perceptions of education and feedback on ward rounds in one clinical department at a tertiary paediatric hospital and the key influences on these perceptions.

Six semi-structured focus groups were conducted over a period of 9 months comprising of 20 participants (post-graduate year 1-5) in a general medical department of a tertiary paediatric hospital. Qualitative analysis was performed on focus group transcripts using an inductive approach and codes and themes were generated in an iterative fashion with checking of themes between two researchers.

Feedback experiences were largely positive compared to previous rotations. Three overarching themes were identified which influenced trainee perceptions of education and feedback on ward rounds. These were: consultant influences (e.g. educational engagement), trainee influences (e.g. active seeking of feedback), and structural factors (e.g. organisational constraints).

Despite positive feedback experiences, the need to improve feedback for our junior doctors is clear, but how to do this remains challenging when navigating work-learning tensions. The notion of the educational alliance between the consultant and trainee is a potential useful solution, but it requires deliberate effort and dedicated time to establish given our increasingly complex and busy clinical environments.