"Two stars and a wish": a feedback strategy for reflective learning in medical education

Feedback plays a pivotal role in medical education by enhancing learners’ knowledge, clinical skills, and professional growth. Despite its importance, both learners and educators frequently encounter challenges in giving and receiving feedback effectively. "Two Stars and a Wish" is an innovative, learner-centered strategy designed to provide structured, formative feedback in a simple yet powerful format. It involves offering two positive comments (the "stars") and one constructive suggestion for improvement (the "wish"). This approach cultivates reflective practice, critical thinking, and the synthesis of feedback by encouraging learners to recognize their strengths and identify opportunities for growth. It also promotes student agency and self-directed learning. Incorporating digital tools such as word clouds and mind mapping further enriches the experience, enabling the visualization of themes and patterns in feedback. Grounded in the principles of formative assessment, this method supports continuous improvement, promotes ownership of learning, and fosters a collaborative educational environment.