Journal Club Article

Article: Hardavella, G., Aamli-Gaagnat, A., Saad, N., Rousalova, I., & Sreter, K. B. (2017). How to give and receive feedback effectively. Breathe, 13(4), 327-333.

Feedback Types

• Informal
• Formal
• Formative
• Summative

Feedback Importance

“it seems that learners value feedback more when it is given by someone they respect as a role model. Appropriate feedback contributes significantly in developing learners’ competence and confidence at all stages of their professional careers; it helps them think about the gap between actual and desired performance, and identify ways to narrow the gap and improve (pg 327-328).

Who Gives Feedback?

“Feedback is meant to be a reciprocal process.“

• Education or clinical supervisors
• Patients
• Peers & colleagues
• Trainees

Feedback Barriers

Table 1 (pg 329):

• Generalised feedback not related to specific facts
• Lack of advice on how to improve behaviour
• A lack of respect for the source of feedback
• Fear of upsetting colleagues
• Fear of damaging professional relationships
• Defensive behaviour/resistance when receiving feedback
• Physical barriers: noise, or improper time, place or space
• Personal agendas
• Lack of confidence

Tips for Receiving Feedback

Table 4 (pg 332):

• Be a good listener
• When in doubt, ask for clarification
• Embrace the feedback session as a learning opportunity
• Remember to pause and think before responding
• Avoid jumping to conclusions, and show that you are invested in the learning process and keen to improve
• Think positively and be open to helpful hints Learn from your mistakes and be motivated
• Be a good sport and show appreciation
• Be proactive

Best Avoid The ‘Sandwich’ Approach

Feedback Approach: on pages 238-239, the dreaded “feedback sandwich” and Pendletons feedback are discussed. I would argue both are now outdated approaches to feedback and to use ‘Learning Conversion‘ or the ‘advocacy-enquiry‘ approach from the simulation field.

Additional Clinical Supervision Resources:

Nursing Education Network. (2019). Clinical Supervision in Nursing

Nursing Education Network. (2020). Basic Model of Supervision.

Nursing Education Network. (2018). Supervision Skills in Nursing