KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS ABOUT FEEDBACK EXPERIENCES IN INTERNAL MEDICINE CLINICAL POSTING

Abstract

Background: Feedback is a process that creates
awareness in the learner about the gap in their current
knowledge or skill and the desired goal. It is a critical
component of teaching and learning activity described as
the heart of medical education. Feedback can be brief,
formal or major.
This study aimed to describe the feedback practice,
frequency and quality of feedback experienced by
medical students during their clinical rotations in internal
medicine.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was
carried among cohorts of third, fifth and sixth year medical
undergraduates undergoing clinical medicine rotation in
the department of medicine of the Lagos State University
College of Medicine Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria between March
2016 and March 2017 by the use of a self-administered
questionnaire. Participation was voluntary.
Result: 168 students participated with a response rate of
90.3 %. The mean age of respondents is 24.8±4.2 years.
Feedback was received by 145 students (86.3%). Daily
feedback was provided more in the third-year students
compared with the other cohorts. χ2=16.34 p<0.05.
Across all the year of study, feedback was provided
mostly during clinical encounters χ2=2.510 p=0.64.
Consultants provided feedbacks mostly. The students in
the junior and intermediate years received more
feedbacks than those in final year χ2=32.397, p=0.001.
Peer feedback was rarely provided across all groups.
Feedback were provided on communication skills,
physical examination and investigations across all group.
The final year students received more feedback on
treatment compared to the 3rd and 5th year students.
Majority of the students claimed there were no special
feedback session and that the feedback environment is
suboptimal.
Conclusion
The study showed that the consultants mostly provide
feedbacks to students. The students appear not satisfied
with certain aspect of feedback provision. Peers and
multisource feedback is rarely utilized in our setting