How can you provide feedback to physicians to improve patient care without damaging your relationship?

1 Why feedback matters

Feedback is essential for improving quality, safety, and outcomes in health care. It can help physicians identify their strengths and areas for improvement, learn from their mistakes, and align their practices with evidence-based standards. Feedback can also enhance teamwork, trust, and communication among health care professionals, which can benefit patient care and satisfaction. As a nurse, you have a unique perspective and valuable insights that can contribute to the feedback process and help physicians grow and develop.

2 How to prepare for feedback

Before giving feedback to a physician, it is important to prepare yourself and your message. Clarify your purpose and goal - why are you giving feedback? What do you want to achieve? How will it benefit patient care? Additionally, gather relevant information and evidence that supports your feedback and present it objectively and accurately. Consider the time and place for feedback - when and where should you give it? How can you ensure privacy and confidentiality? Also, think about the physician's perspective and personality - how might they react to feedback? What are their learning preferences and needs? Tailor your feedback to suit them.

3 How to deliver feedback

When providing feedback to a physician, it is important to use effective communication skills and techniques. To ensure your feedback is well-received, start with a positive and respectful tone. Express appreciation and recognition for the physician's work and expertise, as well as ask for permission and consent to give feedback. Be specific and focused when stating the purpose and goal of your feedback, providing examples and details of what you observed and what you suggest. It is also important to be constructive and supportive by emphasizing the positive aspects and outcomes of the feedback, offering concrete and actionable recommendations for improvement, as well as providing resources and assistance when needed. Additionally, make sure to be balanced and fair by acknowledging the physician's strengths and achievements, avoiding personal attacks or criticism, focusing on behavior rather than the person, being collaborative and interactive by inviting the physician to share their thoughts and feelings about the feedback, listening actively to their response, asking open-ended questions, encouraging dialogue, and seeking feedback from them as well.

4 How to follow up on feedback

After you give feedback to a physician, it's important to monitor and evaluate the impact and outcome of your feedback. To achieve this, you should provide positive reinforcement and recognition, praising and acknowledging the physician for implementing the feedback and making progress. You should also offer ongoing support and guidance by checking in with the physician regularly and addressing any challenges or difficulties they may face. Additionally, solicit and accept feedback from the physician on your own communication skills. Thank them for their feedback and use it to improve your own practice and relationship with them. Celebrate their achievements and successes, referring them to additional resources or mentors if needed.

5 How to handle feedback challenges

Giving feedback to physicians can be a difficult or uncomfortable experience, especially if they are resistant, defensive, or hostile. To cope with these challenges, it's important to stay calm and professional while maintaining a respectful attitude and behavior. Reaffirm your intention and goal to help the physician improve patient care. Additionally, seek common ground and understanding by trying to understand their perspective and expressing empathy. If you are unable to resolve the feedback issue or conflict with the physician, seek help and advice from a trusted colleague, supervisor, or mediator. By following these tips and strategies, you can provide feedback to physicians to improve patient care without damaging your relationship.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?