title: Improving the quality of written feedback using written feedback.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Educational feedback is amongst the most powerful of all learning interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) Can we measure the quality of written educational feedback with acceptable metrics? (2) Based on such a measure, does a quality improvement (QI) intervention improve the quality of feedback?
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a QI instrument to measure the quality of written feedback and applied it to written feedback provided to medical students following workplace assessments. We evaluated the measurement characteristics of the QI score using generalisability theory. In an uncontrolled intervention, QI profiles were fed back to GP tutors and pre and post intervention scores compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A single assessor scoring 6 feedback summaries can discriminate between practices with a reliability of 0.82.The quality of feedback rose for two years after the introduction of the QI instrument and stabilised in the third year. The estimated annual cost to provide this feedback is £12 per practice. Interpretation and recommendations: It is relatively straightforward and inexpensive to measure the quality of written feedback with good reliability. The QI process appears to improve the quality of written feedback. We recommend routine use of a QI process to improve the quality of educational feedback.
authors: a School of Medicine , Keele University , Stoke-on-Trent , Staffordshire , UK.
authors: Maggie
authors: M
authors: Bartlett
authors: b Academic Unit of Medical Education , University of Sheffield Medical School , Sheffield , UK.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Crossley
authors: a School of Medicine , Keele University , Stoke-on-Trent , Staffordshire , UK.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: McKinley
mesh_terms: D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D004739:England; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D058996:Quality Improvement; D013337:Students, Medical; D014956:Writing / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Feedback; educational assessment; quality improvement; undergraduate medical education