Providing departments with regular reports on intern experiences using an adapted version of the PHEEM: completing the feedback loop to enable change in the education and training environment.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Collating quality feedback from interns on their training and educational experiences allows training institutions to identify issues or concerns within the learning environment and provides an opportunity for continuous quality improvement. This study aimed to investigate whether feedback obtained from a modified version of the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) was used by departments to facilitate change and enhance the education and training experiences of interns at Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). METHOD: Data from intern evaluations is collated and sent to departments at the end of each three-month period. A survey was undertaken to assess how much departments valued the reports they received and how, if at all, they utilise the information. The Directors of Training, Clinical Directors, and Service Managers of 16 departments were invited to respond to the survey. RESULTS: The response rate was 46%. Eighty-three percent responded that the reports they receive are useful, and 78% responded that they are easy to understand. Data which tracks the performance of their department over time was reported by 71% as being of particular use. Fifty-five percent of the respondents had implemented, or were in the process of implementing, change based on the information in the reports. A positive outcome was reported by 100% of those who had implemented change. CONCLUSION: Evaluations of clinical attachments by interns positively influences change in clinical departments if the information is presented to departments in an accessible and meaningful format.