Comprehensive Guide to
Multi-Source Feedback
Enablers and
Success Factors
This comprehensive guide from Client Focused Evaluation Program (CFEP) Surveys supports clinicians and organisations across the health and care continuum that are considering the benefits of, or have adopted, CFEP Surveys’ Multi-Source Feedback (MSF) Tool. It helps clinicians and organisations develop a deeper understanding of how MSF aligns with the Medical Board of Australia’s Professional Performance Framework.1 It also explains how MSF can be used to inform professional development at the clinician level, and then more broadly at the organisational level, to drive continuous, data-driven quality improvement to ensure clinicians are working at the top of their scope and together contributing to the ongoing journey towards high-performing health care nationally.
- Clinicians participating in MSF (known as ‘MSF candidates’), as well as their clinical colleagues and non-clinical co-workers who may serve as reviewers, will benefit from greater awareness of:
- MSF and its three assessment components (patient and colleague feedback, and
self-assessment) - the survey instruments in the CFEP Surveys’ MSF tool (Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire, Colleague Feedback Evaluation Tool, and Self-Assessment Tool)
the system and processes of the MSF process, including data collection, analysis, reporting, debriefing, and the vital reflective period followed by action planning. Medical colleges, continuing professional development (CPD) homes, professional and peak body organisations, health service provider organisations, including Primary Health Networks (PHNs), and professional training organisations, can use this guide when developing organisation or sector-wide MSF implementation to drive personal development and quality improvement while creating a culture of collaboration, communication, trust and excellence among clinical cohorts.
Key enablers and success factors of MSF
Focus on observable behaviours
MSF systems are deeply established in industry, with 360-degree type feedback routinely used a workplace assessment tool to:
- develop insights into individual strengths and opportunities for improvement
- enhance cultural change
- produce summative assessment of performance
- evaluate potential (e.g.g careers advice or selection)
- enhance team effectiveness
- identify training needs for the organisation.
Original work on the development of MSF tools for physicians was undertaken in the United States4,5 and later developed over several years by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta’s (CPSA) Physician Achievement Review (PAR) program6, and the Medical College of Canada.7,8
Focus on core professional roles
MSF is increasingly adopted within continuing professional development and regulatory frameworks worldwide as a method to assess medical performance and quality-assure clinical practice.9 The validity evidence for MSF used within medicine is well established, and MSF is now used in health systems across Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with interest growing in other countries.
Use of a Likert scale
Original work on the development of MSF tools for physicians was undertaken in the United States4,5 and later developed over several years by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta’s (CPSA) Physician Achievement Review (PAR) program6, and the Medical College of Canada.7,8
Numbers of respondents, feasibility and reliability
MSF is increasingly adopted within continuing professional development and regulatory frameworks worldwide as a method to assess medical performance and quality-assure clinical practice.9 The validity evidence for MSF used within medicine is well established, and MSF is now used in health systems across Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with interest growing in other countries.
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Self-selection of reviewers
Reporting data and providing feedback
The importance of self-assessment
Guiding self-reflection and action planning with facilitated feedback and coaching
Creating an action plan for professional development, growth and improvement
MSF: Formative quality improvement tool VS summative assessment tool
Section 2: The Four Stages of Multi-Source Feedback
- Stage 1 – Objective and meaningful data collection
- Stage 2 – Analysis and reporting
- Stage 3 – Debrief and self-reflection
- Stage 4 – Action planning and CPD allocation
Section 3: How to Implement Multi-Source Feedback
Introducing MSF and applying the MSF tool requires organisational commitment and resourcing. Developing a robust implementation plan with a feasible timeline supported by an effective engagement and communication plan is essential for success.
Chapter 3 clearly outlines the key considerations when introducing an MSF program and provides suggestions for implementation strategies.
Section 4: Multi-Source Feedback Evidence Base
While the content of an MSF tool may appear to be relatively simple, there is a substantial amount of research, time, money and effort invested in producing these ‘fit-for-purpose’ tools. A wide range of research has been conducted on the use of MSF in various clinical settings that support the effectiveness and impact MSF has on quality improvement processes.
Section 5: Enablers and Success Factors of MSF
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Section 6: Limitations of Multi-Source Feedback
Chapter 1 summaries Multi-source feedback covering:
Appendices
Appendix A: Glossary