Optimizing Multisource Feedback Implementation for Australasian Physicians.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician Performance
• Continuing Professional Development

Background:

• Medical regulatory bodies in Australasia promote continuing professional development (CPD).
• Multisource feedback (MSF) is a practice-based CPD activity that includes facilitated feedback to improve physician performance.
• There is a need to understand the feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of MSF processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of a multisource feedback (MSF) process.
• To investigate the impact of including a telephone/videoconference debrief in the MSF process.
• To inform the design of future MSF implementations in Australasia.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven Australasian physicians participated in the study.
• Participants collected feedback from patients and colleagues.
• Feedback reports were debriefed with a trained facilitator via telephone/videoconference.
• Quantitative and qualitative measures, including surveys and interviews, were used for evaluation.

Main Results:

• Feasibility was influenced by participant support, work context, and the use of remote debriefing.
• MSF stimulated reflection and led to practice improvements.
• High-quality rater feedback and the inclusion of a debrief enhanced perceived effectiveness.
• Sustainability was affected by feedback culture, the formative nature of MSF, and confidentiality.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing MSF is crucial for wider adoption in the Australasian medical community.
• A quality debrief significantly increases the perceived value and effectiveness of MSF.
• Telephone/videoconference debriefing enhances the feasibility and sustainability of MSF processes.