Peer group reflection helps clinical teachers to critically reflect on their teaching

• Published in: Medical teacher Vol. 33; no. 11; pp. e615 - e623
• Main Authors: Boerboom, Tobias B. B., Jaarsma, Debbie, Dolmans, Diana H. J. M., Scherpbier, Albert J. J. A., Mastenbroek, Nicole J. J. M., Van Beukelen, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK, Ltd 01-11-2011; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Education, Medical; Educational Practices; Educational Quality; Faculty - standards; Feedback; Humans; Meetings; Netherlands; Peer Group; Peer Groups; Professional skills; Quality of education; Reflection; Self evaluation; Student Evaluation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teacher Effectiveness; Teacher evaluations; Teachers; Teaching; Teaching methods; Teaching Skills; Netherlands
• ISSN: 0142-159X; 1466-187X
• DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2011.610840

Background: Student evaluations can help clinical teachers to reflect on their teaching skills and find ways to improve their teaching. Studies have shown that the mere presentation of student evaluations is not a sufficient incentive for teachers to critically reflect on their teaching.
Aim: We evaluated and compared the effectiveness of two feedback facilitation strategies that were identical except for a peer reflection meeting.
Method: In this study, 54 clinical teachers were randomly assigned to two feedback strategies. In one strategy, a peer reflection was added as an additional step. All teachers completed a questionnaire evaluating the strategy that they had experienced. We analysed the reflection reports and the evaluation questionnaire.
Results: Both strategies stimulated teachers to reflect on feedback and formulate alternative actions for their teaching practice. The teachers who had participated in the peer reflection meeting showed deeper critical reflection and more concrete plans to change their teaching. All feedback strategies were considered effective by the majority of the teachers.
Conclusions: Strategies with student feedback and self-assessment stimulated reflection on teaching and helped clinical teachers to formulate plans for improvement. A peer reflection meeting seemed to enhance reflection quality. Further research should establish whether it can have lasting effects on teaching quality.