Automated Reminders Improve Feedback in Surgical Training

Feedback is an essential component of medical residency, particularly in subspecialty fields like otolaryngology where residents must adapt to a wide array of surgical techniques. However, a lack of timeliness or insufficient frequency can hurt feedback quality. Faculty may believe feedback is timelier and of higher quality compared to their trainees' impressions.

We aimed to improve faculty and resident feedback satisfaction.

We conducted a month-long survey and automated text message intervention in 2023 to assess perceptions of the existing feedback system in an Otolaryngology residency program and measure postintervention changes. Text message reminders to give oral feedback and complete a pre-existing competency-based form were timed to arrive as the last surgical case ended.

Out of 29 surgical faculty and 15 PGY-2 through PGY-5 residents invited to participate, 17 faculty (58% response rate) and 11 residents (73% response rate) completed both the pre- and postsurvey. Completed competency ACGME feedback forms increased from 4 in the previous month to 54 in the month of the intervention, a 13-fold increase. Overall, resident and faculty satisfaction with feedback improved, with the former reaching statistical significance. Faculty and residents agreed on major barriers to successful feedback: faculty forgetfulness, resident discomfort asking for feedback, and faculty time constraints. Opportunities for continued improvement noted in the postsurvey included quality of feedback and frequency.

Automated reminders can increase timeliness and quantity of feedback. This study presents preliminary data for a simple intervention that can be iterated upon to improve feedback in residency programs nationwide.