How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study

Abstract Background Oral interactive feedback has been shown to help students learn more compared to written feedback. However, less is known of what student supervisors gain from engaging in feedback with peers or near peers. This study explored near-peer supervisors’ experiences of development in...

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Main Authors: Anna Victoria Flankegård, Julie Solberg Knutsen, Eivind Alexander Valestrand, Knut Eirik Ringheim Eliassen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07798-0
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author Anna Victoria Flankegård
Julie Solberg Knutsen
Eivind Alexander Valestrand
Knut Eirik Ringheim Eliassen
author_facet Anna Victoria Flankegård
Julie Solberg Knutsen
Eivind Alexander Valestrand
Knut Eirik Ringheim Eliassen
author_sort Anna Victoria Flankegård
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Oral interactive feedback has been shown to help students learn more compared to written feedback. However, less is known of what student supervisors gain from engaging in feedback with peers or near peers. This study explored near-peer supervisors’ experiences of development in their role as supervisors when shifting from one-way written feedback to oral interactive feedback. Methods We conducted a qualitative interview study with 10 medical student supervisors from an introductory course in person-centred medicine. In focus groups, they reflected upon how they experienced the difference between providing written and oral interactive feedback, and what impact it had on them. Analysis was conducted with systematic text condensation, a method for thematic cross-case analysis. Results The supervisors reported that oral interactive feedback contributed to their development in various aspects of their supervisor role. Through feedback dialogues with students, they gained confidence and experienced both professional and personal growth. They also learned to adapt the feedback methods to different purposes. Additionally, they found their supervisor experiences relevant to meeting patients as physicians, describing improvement in communication skills, leadership and the ability to establish professional relationships, as well as acquiring new insights into their future role as physicians. Conclusions Institutions should recognise a potential reciprocal gain for both parts in a feedback process and consider facilitating oral interactive feedback more frequently, not least in education encouraging students to reflect upon own experiences and emotions. Providing oral interactive feedback can be a powerful learning opportunity. Student supervisors should be encouraged to explore the close connection between their role as supervisors and their future role as physicians.
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spelling doaj-art-6bc7b72d8e894aa5a02f32f1dcf5a9682025-08-20T03:44:01ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-08-012511810.1186/s12909-025-07798-0How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview studyAnna Victoria Flankegård0Julie Solberg Knutsen1Eivind Alexander Valestrand2Knut Eirik Ringheim Eliassen3Section for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenSection for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenSection for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenSection for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of BergenAbstract Background Oral interactive feedback has been shown to help students learn more compared to written feedback. However, less is known of what student supervisors gain from engaging in feedback with peers or near peers. This study explored near-peer supervisors’ experiences of development in their role as supervisors when shifting from one-way written feedback to oral interactive feedback. Methods We conducted a qualitative interview study with 10 medical student supervisors from an introductory course in person-centred medicine. In focus groups, they reflected upon how they experienced the difference between providing written and oral interactive feedback, and what impact it had on them. Analysis was conducted with systematic text condensation, a method for thematic cross-case analysis. Results The supervisors reported that oral interactive feedback contributed to their development in various aspects of their supervisor role. Through feedback dialogues with students, they gained confidence and experienced both professional and personal growth. They also learned to adapt the feedback methods to different purposes. Additionally, they found their supervisor experiences relevant to meeting patients as physicians, describing improvement in communication skills, leadership and the ability to establish professional relationships, as well as acquiring new insights into their future role as physicians. Conclusions Institutions should recognise a potential reciprocal gain for both parts in a feedback process and consider facilitating oral interactive feedback more frequently, not least in education encouraging students to reflect upon own experiences and emotions. Providing oral interactive feedback can be a powerful learning opportunity. Student supervisors should be encouraged to explore the close connection between their role as supervisors and their future role as physicians.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07798-0Peer teachingStudent supervisorsFeedback competencyProfessional identity formationMedical studentsInteractive feedback.
spellingShingle Anna Victoria Flankegård
Julie Solberg Knutsen
Eivind Alexander Valestrand
Knut Eirik Ringheim Eliassen
How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study
BMC Medical Education
Peer teaching
Student supervisors
Feedback competency
Professional identity formation
Medical students
Interactive feedback.
title How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study
title_full How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study
title_fullStr How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study
title_full_unstemmed How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study
title_short How near-peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback: a qualitative interview study
title_sort how near peer supervisors experience their own development in the supervisor role when shifting from written to oral interactive feedback a qualitative interview study
topic Peer teaching
Student supervisors
Feedback competency
Professional identity formation
Medical students
Interactive feedback.
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07798-0
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