Diagnostic Feedback to Improve Calibration Accuracy of Medical Specialists and Students

• In Event: Feedback and Self-Evaluations of Performance

Abstract

Research shows that medical doctors have difficulties to provide accurate estimates of their own performance. Miscalibration can lead to inefficient or ineffective treatment, high health care costs, and most importantly, can harm patients. We therefore investigated whether calibration accuracy can be improved by providing feedback. During a training phase, medical specialists (n=42) and medical students (n=43) diagnosed clinical cases and rated their own performance, after which they did or did not receive feedback (i.e., the correct diagnosis). During the test phase, participants diagnosed new cases and rated their performance without receiving feedback. Findings indicate that medical specialists calibrated better than medical students and providing feedback was associated with better calibration for both students and specialists.

Authors

• Marloes Lisanne Nederhand, Erasmus University Rotterdam

• Huib Tabbers, Erasmus University

• Ted A.W. Splinter, Erasmus MC

• Remigius M. Rikers, University College Roosevelt