Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to explore experiences and challenges in handling feedback and criticism among early career surgeons. Design: This study is part of a prospective, exploratory, longitudinal study evaluating surgical residents throughout residency. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical doctors applying to a locum or residency position in a surgical specialty. Analysis was performed using a cross-sectional thematic analysis. Setting: Departments in general surgery, urology, and pediatric surgery at seven hospitals in Sweden. Participants: Contact information to applicants interviewed for a locum or resident position at the included departments were forwarded to the research group. The research group contacted applicants for inclusion and 50 were included. Results: Four themes were constructed in relation to the participants' management strategies and experiences: 1) reflection and processing of criticism, 2) emotional response to criticism, 3) cautious feedback culture, and 4) navigating criticism in a hierarchical system. Conclusion: This study revealed barriers to an effective feedback culture in a pool of applicants for a residency or locum position in surgical disciplines. A culture of reluctance to give feedback was a strong and common denominator. A process of filtering feedback could possibly be a method of survival and thriving in the contemporary workplace. Suggestions and initiatives to change the feedback culture are proposed.
Source: Surgery Open Science
Authors: Hanne Pedersen, Alexander Tejera, Christopher Mathieu, Britt-Marie Johansson, Magnus Anderberg, Kristine Hagelsteen
Institutions: Lund University, Skåne University Hospital
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,230
OpenAlex ID: W4417427254