63. USE OF A NOVEL TOOL TO COMPARE FEEDBACK CULTURE IN A PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS.

Abstract

Introduction Effective feedback is essential for trainees to achieve clinical competence. An unsupportive institutional feedback culture can diminish the credibility and subsequent uptake of feedback. Data on feedback culture in pediatric training programs is limited. We, therefore, used a validated feedback environment survey (FES) tool to assess and compare the cultures in our pediatric residency and fellowship programs. Methods Pediatric fellows and residents at Yale New Haven Hospital were invited to anonymously complete the FES using Qualtrics. The FES has a 7-point Likert scale response format, measures various aspects of the feedback environment, and has demonstrated good reliability, internal structure and relationship to other variables validity in an industrial setting. Fellow and resident ratings were compared using two-sided Fisher's exact test. Results Fifty-two (65%) residents and 21 (47%) fellows completed the survey. Most trainees reported that they respect their attendings’ opinion (76.7%), feel that they are fair (67.1%) and have confidence in their feedback (64.3%). However, the majority felt that the feedback they received was not useful (60.2%) and that attendings did not encourage them to ask for feedback (67.1%). When compared to fellows, more residents felt that attendings were unfamiliar with their performance (61.5% vs. 14.3%, p Conclusions We have demonstrated deficiencies in the feedback culture of our pediatric residency and fellowship programs, which are more pronounced in the residency program. Identification of the factors contributing to the difference is important and will inform targeted interventions.