Exploring Feedback Mechanics during Experiential Learning in Pharmacy Education: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Experiential Learning
• Medical Education

Background:

• The quality of feedback significantly impacts student learning in pharmacy experiential settings.
• Understanding current feedback practices and their effectiveness is essential for improving pharmacy education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of literature on feedback for pharmacy students during experiential learning.
• To identify common modes of feedback delivery and their perceived impact on student learning outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review adhering to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology.
• Systematic literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, etc.) until February 2023.
• Narrative synthesis of data from 13 included studies.

Main Results:

• Verbal feedback was the most frequent delivery mode (46%).
• Key enablers of effective feedback included timeliness (46%), goal-orientation (40%), and specificity (30%).
• Impediments included excessive positivity and a lack of constructive criticism.

Conclusions:

• Implementing robust feedback models is vital for pharmacy education.
• Preceptor training programs should focus on delivering effective and quality feedback to students.
• Optimizing feedback strategies can enhance pharmacy student learning and professional development.