Table 2.

Major premises of integrating feedback and establishing a culture for physician improvement

• Physician feedback should be part of a broader quality improvement initiative.

• Improving physician practice and behavior through a variety of mechanisms including feedback does ultimately improve patient care and overall satisfaction.

• Feedback is more readily embraced and embedded within a department’s culture when viewed as part of physicians’ lifelong learning.

• Within the academic setting, senior leaders and stakeholders must be involved in the development of the feedback process.

• Those involved with the feedback process should be properly trained on how best to give constructive, supportive feedback without fear of an antagonistic reaction from the recipient.

• Feedback is best when it detects problems early, provides information in real time, and focuses on goal-oriented behavior.

• Feedback data instruments should cater to both the needs of the group and what works best for the individual. There is no “one-size fits all” approach; nevertheless, this does not preclude the importance of and need to implement a strategy going forward.