Resident Satisfaction with Feedback Quantity on Best and Worst Rotations

Abstract

Background: General surgery residents report insufficient feedback and desire more frequent, structured, and timely feedback. Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) enable more immediate and frequent feedback through microassessments (MAs). We analyzed whether resident satisfaction with feedback is associated with the frequency of EPA MAs received.

Study design: In January 2025, residents completed a post-in-training examination survey about feedback and EPA perceptions. Residents reported the frequency of real-time feedback and EPA MAs, as well as their satisfaction with feedback quantity during their best and worst rotations. Multivariable analyses evaluated associations between EPA MA frequency and satisfaction.

Results: Of 10,404 examinees, 82% (n = 8,545) participated, and 74.4% reported receiving at least 1 EPA MA per rotation. Across rotations, higher EPA MA frequency was associated with greater feedback satisfaction (p < 0.001). Comparing satisfaction with overall feedback quantity on their best vs worst rotations, residents were more satisfied on their best rotation regardless of feedback quantity (p < 0.001). Residents who received no EPA MAs on their best rotation still had high levels of satisfaction (77%) with feedback amount, indicating that alternative forms of feedback may meet resident needs. Residents who did not receive EPA MAs on their worst rotation had low levels of satisfaction (42%), but satisfaction rates rose by >50% if they received at least 1 EPA MA per rotation.

Conclusions: Resident satisfaction with feedback is positively associated with more frequent self-reported EPA MAs, particularly if they receive at least 1 per week. On their worst rotations, when residents are not getting alternative forms of feedback, receiving EPA MAs is associated with improved feedback satisfaction.