We should learn from our mistakes

Editor—I see that Balaji Rangarajan is complaining that there is not enough feedback from medical schools once the results of examinations have been published.¹ Hence, he cannot see where and how he is making mistakes. It is true that we all learn from our mistakes, but it requires an effort on your part to track down those who can help you or at least notify you of your mistakes. I am sure that if Mr Rangarajan asks his personal tutor he will find out where he went wrong as the tutor has access not only to the grades achieved but also the exam paper answers.

If all else fails contact the head of department. Use your initiative rather than relying on others to come and point out your mistakes for you. I am sure you appreciate as well as I do that medical students and lecturers are too busy to organise additional feedback sessions. But they still supply this facility for you in the form of the personal tutors.

1. Rangarajan B. We should learn from our mistakes. studentBMJ 2002;10:38. (February.)