Sharing Reflections on Multisource Feedback in a Peer Group Setting: Stimulating Physicians' Professional Performance...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professional Development
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Continuous professional development (CPD) for physicians relies on feedback reflection.
• Multisource feedback (MSF) is commonly discussed in one-on-one sessions.
• Peer group sessions with a facilitator offer a novel approach to MSF discussion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore physicians' experiences participating in peer group sessions for CPD.
• To understand the qualitative aspects of discussing multisource feedback in a group setting.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with 26 physicians.
• Interviews conducted between March and July 2018 in 5 Dutch general hospitals.
• Interpretative phenomenological approach used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Physicians experienced a process of sharing personal reflections, balancing closeness and distance with peers.
• Sharing feedback deepened relationships, increased meaningfulness, and fostered a sense of urgency for improvement.
• Improvement goals focused on relational aspects, with career management goals secondary. Facilitator expertise, group dynamics, and relationships influenced effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Peer group sessions enhance interactivity and connect physicians to their work environments.
• Discussing MSF in peer groups provides nuanced insights and promotes a community spirit for change.
• Future research should explore group dynamics, communication, and coaching principles in these settings.