Twelve tips for providing feedback to peers about their teaching

Abstract

When healthcare professionals provide feedback to peers after a teaching observation, there are benefits for both parties. In this article, we outline strategies to use before, during, and after teaching observations to engage in mutually-beneficial conversations that highlight best practices, identify solutions for teaching dilemmas, and initiate teaching relationships. We discuss the importance of choosing words wisely; giving feedback about teaching skills, not the teacher as a person; recognizing how colleagues view their teaching identities; and ensuring peers are emotionally ready for a post-observation conversation. We also explain how to use pronouns, questions, and active listening during feedback conversations. Finally, we explore the impact of biases on observations, how to establish peer observer credibility, and how to make the teaching observation process and feedback discussion valuable experiences for both parties so that it leads to long-lasting partnerships in the quest to improve educational quality.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lori R. Newman

Lori R. Newman, MEd, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Professional Development in Medical Education at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), Boston, MA, USA. She is the co-director of the BCH Academy for Teaching and Educational Innovation and Scholarship.

David H. Roberts

David H. Roberts, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Dean for External Education at HMS. He is a pulmonologist in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.

Susan E. Frankl

Susan E. Frankl, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an internal medicine physician with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. She is the Associate Director of Clinical Faculty Development in the HMS Office of Educational Quality Improvement.