Trainee Satisfaction with Feedback provided using an Entrustment Scale: A Survey of Internal Medicine Residents

Abstract

Background: Numerous scales have been developed to evaluate medical learners, including entrustment scales. Little is known about resident satisfaction with entrustment scales. The objective of this study was to evaluate residents' perceptions of entrustment scales as a method of assessment in comparison to traditional evaluation methods. Methods: Residents (n=102) at the University of Pennsylvania Internal Medicine residency program were asked to participate in a survey in June 2016 regarding perceptions of an entrustment scale, which was incorporated into endof-rotation resident clinical evaluations in 2014. The survey assessed the assessment utility in various domains, including overall perception of the scale, overall satisfaction, and preference in comparison with other rating scales. Qualitative comments were elicited via free-text to further clarify residents' perceptions. Results: Sixty of the 102 residents (59%) completed the survey. Most residents positively rated the usefulness of questions asked (n=54, 92%) and comments provided (n=48, 98%). Similarly, of those previously evaluated by numerical scales (n=29), numerical scales with behavioral anchors (n=26), and numerical scales with adjectives (n=35), 72%, 88%, and 83% found the entrustment scale to be equivocal or superior, respectively. Qualitative comments supporting the entrustment scale noted improved ease of interpretation, objectivity, and intuitiveness. Conclusions: Residents are satisfied with entrustment scales, noting the entrustment scale to be superior compared to traditional scale alternatives. Residents found entrustment scales provided a more objective assessment, allowed for easier interpretation, and were more intuitive than traditional scales.