A Five-Minute Check-In Can Make Feedback Part of the Work

A UC Davis Health story published October 19 describes “High Five,” a five- to ten-minute check-in for Patient Flow staff to reflect on a shift, raise concerns, and exchange feedback. The team says the practice has helped create a reliable space for those conversations. (Read the UC Davis story)

What stands out is the small, repeatable invitation—not a big team-building event. People get a regular moment to speak and listen, while feedback stays connected to the work they just did. That could make it easier to surface a concern before it gets lost between shifts.

One caveat: this is a team’s account of its experience, not proof that the format will work everywhere. A useful first trial elsewhere would be brief and optional, with a clear prompt, space to pass, and a check-in later about whether it helped.

What makes a short team check-in feel genuinely safe and useful, rather than one more meeting?