Perceptions of supervision and feedback in PaedCompenda, the competency-based, post-graduate curriculum in pediatrics (www.paedcompenda.de).

Abstract

Aim: Both teachers and learners had clear reservations in the beginning about the usefulness and benefits of supervision and feedback, which were to be implemented as a teaching method in the competency-based, post-graduate curriculum in general ambulatory pediatrics, known as PaedCompenda (www.paedcompenda.de). This paper investigates the different perceptions of the physicians undergoing specialist training (Ärzte in Weiterbildung) and elucidates these differences.

Method: The following data were collected as part of the research on the three-year-long implementation (2019-2023):1) Four focus group discussions (N=28) with physician trainees who had no experience in primary care pediatrics or with the post-graduate curriculum;2) Problem-oriented interviews, one at the beginning and again at the end, with physician trainees (N=28) undergoing specialist training at 19 participating medical practices belonging to two post-graduate education networks;3) Videos of patient consultations with the physician trainees (N=23);4) Videos of feedback conferences regarding the videotaped patient consultations (N=7).This data was evaluated using reconstructive grounded theory.

Results: A distinctly more positive perception of the benefits of supervision and feedback as a teaching and learning method was seen in the physicians who received specialist training at the practices following the PaedCompenda curriculum. In regard to method, it is crucial that the educational setting can be experienced as a learning opportunity. Playing a central role in this is constructive and conducive feedback (a. dysfunctional routines, b. underlying lack of confidence, and c. overlooked problems).

Conclusions: This paper shows the opportunities of an institutionalized form of supervision and feedback as part of a competency-based, post-graduate curriculum while also making it clear that implementation is challenging. Furthermore, the medical specialists who serve as trainers need to be specifically trained to know which approaches promote learning effectively.