title: Using a novel small-group approach to enhance feedback skills for community-based teachers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As medical education expands into distant settings, challenges in providing faculty development to busy clinical teachers increase-especially for those who have difficulty accessing sessions offered at academic centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five clinical teachers participated in six small-group workshops, using a printed module on the topic of delivering feedback. The modules included teaching-learning "cases," tools, and a summary of medical literature. The group facilitator did not require expertise in delivering feedback. Surveys inquired about impact immediately after the session and at 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis confirmed that participants found the workshop format valuable, and the majority committed to making changes in their approaches to providing feedback. At follow-up, most participants reported that planned changes had been implemented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low-tech approach to faculty development, using facilitated small-group discussion of a specially prepared educational module, is feasible for any site and can enhance teaching approaches in both urban and rural practice settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. walsha@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Allyn E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Armson
authors.forename: Jacqueline G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Leadbetter
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roder
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011361:Professional Competence; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods