Evaluating the performance of the Minute Feedback System: A web-based feedback tool for medical students

Am J Surg. 2018 Feb;215(2):293-297. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.08.047. Epub 2017 Nov 4.

Abstract

Background: Medical students often report dissatisfaction with the feedback they receive on their clerkships. This study evaluates the performance of the Minute Feedback System (MFS), a web-based tool designed to facilitate medical student acquisition of same day written feedback from surgery residents and faculty.

Methods: System-generated data, targeted surveys, and end of clerkship questionnaires were used to evaluate MFS performance over a one-year period.

Results: 170 students made 3190 feedback requests and received 1978 responses (62% response rate). Students felt the system was easy to use (90%), provided useful feedback (74%), and allowed them to obtain more feedback than they would have in its absence (81%). Concerns were raised regarding the quality of electronic feedback and whether the data generated would be used for summative assessment.

Conclusions: The MFS encourages same-day assessment and increases documented medical student feedback. Further development is required to improve feedback quality, response rates, and feedback application.

Keywords: Education; Evaluation; Feedback; Medical student.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Clerkship*
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Formative Feedback*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Michigan
  • Students, Medical* / psychology