Feedback on role model behaviour: effective for clinical trainers?

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess changes in role model behaviour of clinical trainers after giving personal feedback. Methods: First-year general practitioner (GP) trainees at two institutes for GP speciality training in the Netherlands were asked to complete an assessment of their clinical trainers: the Role Model Apperception Tool (RoMAT). The RoMAT consists of attributes of positive role modelling divided into two components (Caring Attitude and Effectiveness) and was scored on a 5-point Likert scale twice. After the first assessment moment, the trainers received their personal scores combined with the mean score of their peers. The trainers were divided into three performance groups: below average, average and above average. Results: Only the group with the lowest scores showed an improvement on the Effectiveness component of the RoMAT from 3.89 to 4.08 (p = 0.04) with an effect size of.52, showing a large effect. This pattern is confirmed by the number of trainers shifting from the below average performance group to the average (7) and above average (5) performance groups. Conclusion: Giving feedback to clinical trainers resulted in better scores on the Effectiveness characteristics. This indicates that role model behaviour of clinical trainers can be improved.