Capturing the Patient Voice: Patient Feedback in Medical Education

Patient feedback is a powerful yet underutilized tool in medical education. Traditionally, clinical skills feedback is provided primarily by physicians rather than patients or caregivers, limiting opportunities to foster person-centered skills. To address this gap, we developed and implemented a concise patient and caregiver feedback form for use in clinical skills sessions.

The form was piloted in three pediatric outpatient clinics in Regina during clerkship and resident teaching, and offered as an opt-in program for first-year medical students during pediatric encounters. Our study examined the form’s impact, value, and usability from the perspectives of medical learners and caregivers.

Participants included pediatric caregivers (n=3) and medical learners (n=2). Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Preliminary findings suggest that patient feedback enhanced learners’ confidence and reinforced patient-centered behaviors. Learners expressed interest in longitudinal, constructive feedback to support development. Caregivers reported the form was quick and easy to use, valued the opportunity to contribute to learner growth, and felt comfortable providing both positive and constructive feedback, though some noted barriers related to caregiving demands.

Future directions include expanding implementation to additional clinics and specialties, incorporating the form into pre-clerkship curricula, and interviewing a larger sample of learners and caregivers.