I think Feedback can be a good way to measure how things are going. It can be used as evidence of effective practice or need to implement change. However, the process of reflective evaluation should be ongoing and constant – The feedback may signpost, but regardless of the outcomes of the feedback process one question should be ever present within professional practice: How can I improve?

I try to avoid interpreting feedback as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ as it can feel too personal and subjective. I think it’s better to regard feedback as being ‘constructive’ and something to objectively work from.
However, if someone is determined to distort the ‘feedback process’ to make a personal negative comment or complaint without offering possible remedies or opportunity for mediation, it reflects more on them as a destructive force rather than someone wanting to contribute for the benefit of improvement.
Another lecturer recently showed me their MEQ results – They were quite upset about their perceived ‘negativity’ within the comments. They were so focused on it being ‘negative’ they seemed to lose all objectivity and were taking the feedback very personally. When I looked at the results I was drawn to the many ‘positives’ within the comments. I though that any perceived criticism could really help enhance the module and professional practice in future.
Obviously nobody likes to feel that criticism is aimed directly at them. However, I think it’s important to remember that all feedback is requested with the simple desire to make improvements which will benefit everyone.