Development of a multisource feedback instrument for clinical supervisors in postgraduate medical training

Medical training is a complex endeavour and analysing its quality is not a simple task. The accuracy of information, particularly of data gathered from trainees, will depend greatly on its source, on perceptions relating to confidentiality and on the uses to which the data are put. These factors should guide our choice of feedback instrument. In addition, in times of 'survey fatigue', we have a duty to be efficient. This paper discusses the piloting of the 'feedback on performance for trainers' tool for clinical supervisors of geriatric medicine trainees in the North Western Deanery. This tool is a multi-source feedback instrument that can be used to gather information specifically on the perceived quality of clinical supervision. The tool's design takes into account opinions relating to confidentiality and content validity that have been expressed by trainees, trainers, educationalists and administrators. The tool is relatively easy and quick to use, taking about 10 min of trainee or trainer time. Administrative support is needed but the workload should not be onerous, especially if an on-line process can be developed. Strong evidence to support the validity of this instrument has been collected. The next step is the development and evaluation of the approach as an online process.