Everytime we do feedback with our attendings I always get comments like "you're doing great! I don't know anything you could do better" or "good job! my only feedback is the same I give to everyone: read more", etc etc. I always try to pry for actual specific feedback by asking about certain aspects of my performance (presentations, fund of knowledge, etc.), but it never seems to garner extra feedback.
Obviously these comments make me happy and everything, but I wonder if (a) they're actually true, (b) this is just how attendings give feedback in general, or worse (c) this is what attendings say when you are doing so many things wrong that they don't even know where to start.
It's just frustrating because if I don't get feedback I have no clue where I can work to improve. Anyone had this kind of situation?
Weak, non-confrontational attendings do this, and I hate it. Just don't give feedback. BEcause, as a learner, there is obviously SOMETHING i can do better. If I were doing that well, give me my board cert and let me practice.
They aren't true. You do something that annoys them. You can improve in one area or another. But it takes a lot of skill and a great deal of practice to do this and do it well. They don't want your feelings hurt, because then you retaliate with bad evals of them. They don't like talking about bad things, because its uncomfortable, so they avoid them.
It is the bane of progress.
If you encounter this, do as others have suggested above. "That's great to hear, Im glad that I am doing well. It sounds like I am delivering what you expect OF A MEDICAL STUDENT. But you know, I'm looking to push it to the next level. Have you noticed something that I can improve? Where am I deficient? And, lets talk about a strategy that I can use to get better in that area."
I took my more-or-less canned talk I start my feedback sessions with and just flipped it. Usually I am saying this to a subordinate, to work on things they DONT do well. But if you WANT to be given a real evaluation, ask for it! This significantly reduces the emotional burden of bringing up something bad, and opens the door for improvement (you are literally asking for it). Just dont be upset when something personal comes up, or something you thought you were good at they think you'r bad at.
DONT fight it. DONT explain why you are actually good at it. Just accept it. Teach them that its not only OK, but expected, that they try to make you better.
This sounds rediculous, a student convincing the attending to given them feedback. But, sad as it may sound, sometimes thats what you have to do!
