Multi-Source Feedback
The Multi-Source Feedback (MSF) tool provides a sample of attitudes and opinions of colleagues on the clinical performance and professional behaviour of the GPStR. It helps to provide data for reflection on performance and gives useful feedback for self-evaluation.
How to use the MSF
Collecting Feedback
- The GPStR and trainer should agree a date for the MSF and a date for the GPStR and Educational Supervisor or GP Trainer or Clinical Supervisor to discuss the feedback generated by the MSF.
- The GPStR selects five clinicians with different job titles when in secondary care and five clinicians, mainly GPs, when in primary care. When the tool is used in primary care an additional five non clinicians are selected. All the respondents need to be people who have observed the GPStR in the workplace. The GPStR gives all respondents the instruction letter which explains the process and gives details of how to input, and the closing date by which their feedback should be given, the responses must be in 6 weeks after the MSF is commenced. The Educational Supervisor or GP trainer (depending on the arrangements in each deanery) needs to be aware of which colleagues / staff members the GPStR invited to complete the MSF.
- Respondents will connect to the internet and log onto the ePortfolio, giving GMC number or ticket number of the GPStR. They will use a 7 point grade and enter feedback comments in two free text boxes. Clinicians will answer both questions. Non-clinicians answer just the first question.
- The educational supervisor or trainer will verify with a sample of colleagues / staff members that they did indeed contribute to the MSF. It is important that when checking that colleagues or staff have contributed, the educational supervisor or GP trainer is not made aware of any details of their entry to the MSF.
Using Feedback
- On the closing date the results will be sent to the Educational Supervisor. The results will be anonymous. Results will show the free text comments and the breakdown of scores.
- The Educational Supervisor will authorise the results to become available within the GPStR’'s ePortfolio and visible to the GP trainer. The GP Trainer or Educational Supervisor should try to assimilate the numerical scores and free text comments within the context of the GPStR's overall performance to date.
- The feedback interview: The interviewer should ensure that the GPStR understands the background to the use and purpose of the MSF tool. Different individuals may require different lengths of time for reflection. Discussion should centre around the GPStR’s expectations in relation to their scores.
- The Professional Conversation log in the Education Section of the ePortfolio may be used to record the discussion and the action plan arising from it.
How many? How often?
Two cycles must be completed in ST1 (5 clinicians only) and two cycles in ST3 (5 clinicians and 5 non-clinicians).
FAQs
Q. Can the GPStR ask the same people to complete the MSF on both occasions or must they all be different? Is this feasible in small practices?
A. Yes, even GPStRs based in small practices should be able to identify sufficient clinical and non-clinical colleagues to complete the questionnaire.
Q. What happens if there is a poor response to the questionnaire?
A. Multi-source feedback is still possible if not all raters complete the questionnaire but efforts need to be made to get a good response.
Q. Multi-source feedback is still possible if not all raters complete the questionnaire but efforts need to be made to get a good response.
A. The feedback will be sent first to the educational supervisor to enable them to prepare feedback based on the results. However, the unedited feedback will be sent to the GPStR.