Influencing factors and outcomes of Multisource-Feedback in Postgraduate Medical Training - A Focus Group Study

Background: Multisource-Feedback (MSF) is a form of workplace-based assessment appropriate for postgraduate training. Here, feedback is given by raters via questionnaires and then summed up by a supervisor in a facilitating conversation, in which learning goals are formulated. While there has been publishedmuch on the MSF questionnaire itself, only little is known on the other factors of the MSF process. Thus, our research question is: Which factors influence MSF which aims to improve postgraduate training and what are the expected and unexpected outcomes?Summary of Work: We implemented MSF in the surgical unit of a paediatric university hospital in Switzerland and conducted focus group interviews with participants from all stakeholder groups: trainees, raters, and supervisors. The transcripts of all interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis approach as described by Braun and Clarke [Braun 2006].Summary of Results:We identified the following factors and outcomes: Supporting factors: Clear communication of goal of MSF; self-assessment and narrative comments on the questionnaires to set learning goals; training of raters; continuity and preparation of raters; timing of MSF during rotations; clear role of supervisor; clear structure of the facilitating conversation. Outcomes: Residents perceived that the multiperspective feedback supported the improvement of their professional development; Teamwork and interdisciplinarity were perceived as helpful and were enhanced by MSF; Raters raised their commitment on the training of residents.Discussion and Conclusions:Some of our results confirm other studies, other results have not yet been described in detail such as a helpful structure of the supervision conversation, timing of the MSF assessments during clinical rotations and impact on teamwork and sharedresponsibility. Further analysis is planned to better understand the relationships between the extracted factors and to derive recommendations on how the potential of MSF can be exploited further.Take-home Messages: When implementing MSF, factors already described in the literature as well as our findings regarding influencing factors and outcomes can be helpful to make best use of it.