Receiving Feedback
RECEIVING FEEDBACK
Altmiller G. (2016). Strategies for providing constructive feedback to students. Nurse Educ. 41(3):118-9.
Cox S. (2016). Give the gift of feedback. Nurs Manag. 47(5):44-8.
Kowalski K. (2017). Giving and receiving feedback: Part I. J Contin Educ Nurs. 48(9):395-6.
OUTLINE
Types of feedback
Why feedback is important
"I know"
6 steps for accepting constructive feedback
TYPES OF FEEDBACK
Constructive Feedback
Intended to build up or create.
Deconstructive Feedback
Intended to destroy or tear down.
IMPORTANCE OF FEEDBACK
Feedback is essential to monitor and improve the quality of specialty training.
Provides an opportunity to raise concerns about patient safety.
In the medical field, feedback influences self-improvement and has a profound impact on patient care.
Conversations about improvement are vital for supporting the professional growth of novice Veterinary Technicians.
RECEIVING FEEDBACK AS A VTEC STUDENT
Feedback is crucial for veterinary technician education.
It is an opportunity for stakeholders to voice concerns regarding patient safety.
Engaging in discussions regarding improvement supports professional growth for new practitioners.
EVERY CLINIC/PERSON WILL BE DIFFERENT
Acknowledgment of varied practices across different clinics.
When at a new clinic, responding to feedback offers a chance for growth:
Recommended phrasing: "I am familiar with that procedure, but I would love it if you could show me how your clinic does that."
Avoid using "I know" which:
Comes across as abrupt or closed.
Can create an impression of arrogance.
Suggests that the individual is unwilling to engage further.
REPLACEMENT PHRASES FOR “I KNOW”
Alternative statements to promote positive engagement include:
"I get it now."
"Of course."
"I see."
"I hear what's you're saying."
"I didn't realize that."
"I understand" (tone dependent).
"I was not aware of that…"
Including a thank you can enhance receptiveness.
Seeking suggestion plays a role in discussion dynamics.
6 STEPS FOR ACCEPTING CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
Stop Your First Reaction
Upon receiving criticism, pause before reacting.
Allow time to process the situation calmly to avoid defensive expressions or comments.
Remember the Benefit of Getting Feedback
Acknowledge the purpose of feedback for improvement in skills, work products, and professional relationships.
Stay focused on the constructive nature of feedback, even from imperfect sources.
Listen for Understanding
Engage in a productive dialogue by listening without interruption.
Repeat back what was said for clarity, e.g., "I hear you saying that you want me to help with TPR's in the morning instead of checking callbacks."
Provide the benefit of the doubt to the feedback giver as giving feedback can be challenging.
Say Thank You
Make a conscious effort to thank the person providing feedback.
Acknowledge their effort, e.g., "I really appreciate you taking the time to talk about this with me."
Understand that gratitude does not imply agreement with the assessment.
Ask Questions to Deconstruct the Feedback
Inquire for clarification on specific points raised without entering into a defense or argument.
Example questions to ask include:
“Can you share when in the appointment you thought I got heated?”
“You're right that I did cut him off while he was talking.”
“Have you noticed me getting heated with other clients?”
“I’d love to hear your ideas on how I might handle this differently in the future.”
Request Time to Follow Up
If needed, propose a follow-up meeting for deeper discussion and agreement on next steps.
Use the time to process the feedback before the next interaction.
TO SUMMARIZE
Constructive criticism is a critical pathway to identifying weaknesses essential for improvement.
Defensive reactions can hinder this learning process; embracing feedback leads to long-term gains.
Acknowledge that both giving and receiving feedback are challenging tasks.