How a feedback culture creates a positive and effective learning environment

Feedback is a powerful tool for growth — when it’s done well.
In EPA-based training, where learners take on real clinical responsibilities, feedback becomes even more crucial. It’s not just about performance — it’s about trust.

EPAs (Entrustable Professional Activities) translate essential competencies into concrete, observable tasks — such as leading a ward round or discharging a patient.
Rather than focusing on isolated skills, the emphasis lies on professional responsibility and readiness.
Here, feedback becomes the key: trust is not built through grades, but through continuous, supportive dialogue.

Feedback means development, not evaluation

In everyday clinical life, feedback ideally happens continuously — brief comments after patient interactions, reflections after shifts, or end-of-day discussions.
Such feedback helps learners to:

• better understand their current level of performance

• recognize their strengths,

• and work purposefully on areas for improvement.

The key message: the goal isn’t perfection — it’s learning.

Why feedback shapes learning culture

Feedback influences far more than professional growth — it shapes how learners feel:
Do they feel safe to ask questions?
Is it okay to make mistakes?
Do they feel respected and taken seriously?

Tone and content matter. Short, specific comments like “You handled that conversation with great empathy” build confidence. Vague or overly critical feedback, on the other hand, can discourage and block learning.

Good feedback is:

• regular

• specific

• supportive rather than judgmental

Trust grows through feedback

In the EPA context, educators regularly ask themselves:

“Can I entrust this person with this task?”

These decisions evolve over time — based on clear, repeated feedback moments. When learners understand why they receive certain feedback, they grow from it — both professionally and personally.

Feedback is not a one-way street

Educators also benefit from feedback.
Questions like “Was that helpful for you?”
show that learning is a shared process.

This mindset strengthens the relationship between educators and learners — creating an environment where both sides can grow together.

Conclusion

Even short, everyday feedback moments can have a lasting impact.
They build trust, motivation, and professional development — making feedback an essential cornerstone of successful EPA-based training.