iSPOT: Creation and Implementation of a National Peer Observation and Feedback Program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Faculty Development
• Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Background:

• Pediatric hospitalists desire structured peer observation and feedback (POF) for professional growth.
• Existing POF practices lacked standardization, hindering widespread adoption.
• A national study identified the need for formalizing POF in pediatric hospital medicine (PHM).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a national faculty development program focused on formalizing, standardizing, and normalizing POF in PHM.
• To assess the program's impact on the frequency of POF events and participant outcomes.
• To identify lessons learned for implementing similar initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of participants and site leads via the American Academy of Pediatrics listserv, offering Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit.
• Webinar-based education, self-assessment with goal setting, and completion of at least two observations annually.
• Data collection over 18 months (12 months during implementation, 6 months post-implementation) including site characteristics and POF event frequency.

Main Results:

• A 149% increase in POF events from baseline, sustained at 6 sites.
• Significant improvements in self-reported confidence in feedback delivery and peer connection.
• High program completion (74%) and satisfaction rates (92% recommended ongoing participation, 100% of site leads satisfied).

Conclusions:

• A national MOC-linked faculty development program effectively increased POF across diverse institutions.
• The program provided essential incentives and infrastructure for POF implementation.
• This model can guide future national collaborative educational and faculty development initiatives.