Uncovering the unknown: A grounded theory study exploring the impact of self-awareness on the culture of feedback in residency education

Aim: Self-assessment and reflection are essential for meaningful feedback. We aimed to explore whether the well-known Johari window model of self-awareness could guide feedback conversations between faculty and residents and enhance the institutional feedback culture. Methods: We had previously explored perceptions of residents and faculty regarding sociocultural factors impacting feedback. We re-analyzed data targeting themes related to self-assessment, reflection, feedback seeking and acceptance, aiming to generate individual and institutional feedback strategies applicable to each quadrant of the window. Results: We identified the following themes for each quadrant: (1) Behaviors known to self and others–Validating the known; (2) Behaviors unknown to self but known to others–Accepting the blind; (3) Behaviors known to self and unknown to others–Disclosure of hidden; and (4) Behaviors unknown to self and others–Uncovering the unknown. Normalizing self-disclosure of limitations, encouraging feedback seeking, training in nonjudgmental feedback and providing opportunities for longitudinal relationships could promote self-awareness, ultimately expanding the “open” quadrant of the Johari window. Conclusions: The Johari window, a model of self-awareness in interpersonal communications, could provide a robust framework for individuals to improve their feedback conversations and institutions to design feedback initiatives that enhance its quality and impact.