Feedback in clinical pharmacy education

Feedback has been identified as one of the crucial components of clinical training programs.1,2 Specifically within pharmacy education, feedback to improve clinical judgment is noted as one of the main purposes of residency training.3 However, the bulk of feedback literature pertains to other disciplines (e.g., medicine) and, although many of the principles are similar, perspectives on feedback principles as they relate to pharmacy trainees are needed. Even when preceptors feel certain they are providing feedback to trainees, there is some disagreement as to whether that feedback is being received.2,4 Given the importance attributed to feedback for improving clinical competence, the identification of key steps in providing effective feedback seems vital to preceptorship. We have drawn on personal experience and identified several key articles to define effective feedback and present an avenue for providing effective feedback in the clinical pharmacy setting. In addition, we present several pitfalls and challenges that can hinder effective feedback and then offer strategies to overcome them.