Catalytic effect of multisource feedback for trauma team captains: a mixed-methods prospective study

To evaluate the impact and feasibility of multisource feedback compared with traditional feedback for trauma team captains (TTCs).

A mixed-methods, non-randomised prospective study.

A level one trauma centre in Ontario, Canada.

Postgraduate medical residents in emergency medicine and general surgery participating as TTCs. Selection was based on a convenience sampling method.

Postgraduate medical residents participating as TTCs received either multisource feedback or standard feedback following trauma cases.

TTCs completed questionnaires designed to measure the self-reported intention to change practice (catalytic effect), immediately following a trauma case and 3 weeks later. Secondary outcomes included measures of perceived benefit, acceptability, and feasibility from TTCs and other trauma team members.

Data were collected following 24 trauma team activations: TTCs from 12 activations received multisource feedback and 12 received standard feedback. The self-reported intention for practice change was not significantly different between groups initially (4.0 vs 4.0, p=0.57) and at 3 weeks (4.0 vs 3.0, p=0.25). Multisource feedback was perceived to be helpful and superior to the existing feedback process. Feasibility was identified as a challenge.

The self-reported intention for practice change was no different for TTCs who received multisource feedback and those who received standard feedback. Multisource feedback was favourably received by trauma team members, and TTCs perceived multisource feedback as useful for their development.