Nature vs. Nurture: Career Choice in Emergency Medicine Residents

Background: Resident feedback is an important component of emergency medicine resident training.Although residents often report that they do not get enough feedback, it is unclear what exactly they consider feedback.We sought to clarify resident views on the feedback they consider most helpful and in what areas they would appreciate more and less feedback.Methods: An anonymous survey was created using Google Forms and distributed to all residents in an emergency medicine residency with 29 residents.Residents were asked multiplechoice questions about their views of feedback, specifically about the best times to give feedback, the areas in which they would like more and less feedback, and the manner in which they would like feedback given.The percent of residents responding with each option was calculated.Results: 27 out of 29 residents (93%) completed the survey.93% said the most helpful feedback comes from attending physicians.56% said feedback is best given in private immediately after a patient encounter, while only 4% said it is best given at the bedside.96% said feedback is best given in small aliquots instead of during dedicated meetings.The top areas in which residents would like more feedback are management plans (85%) and patient assessments (70%).The area in which they would like less feedback are social skills and social interactions (44%). Conclusion:Feedback is an important component of education.Clarifying resident views about it and ways in which feedback may be better-received by residents will likely benefit their education.