A literature review of multi-source feedback systems within and without health services, leading to 10 tips for their successful design

Abstract

Multi-source feedback (MSF) has become the accepted mechanism of ensuring the appropriate professional behaviour of doctors. It is part of the mandatory assessment of doctors in training and is to be utilized as part of the revalidation of trained doctors. There is significant variation in the models of MSF currently used within the National Health Service and new models of MSF are being designed by various specialties. No single model has been recognized as the ‘gold standard’. However, there is a large published literature concerning MSF, both in the context of health systems and, more extensively, within industry. This published literature is reviewed, drawing attention to aspects of MSF systems in which there is consensus on effective approaches as well as other aspects in which there is doubt about the optimum approach. In the light of the review 10 principles key in the development of effective MSF models have been produced.

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laurence Wood

LAURENCE WOOD is an associate postgraduate dean for education in the West Midlands Deanery and a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire in Coventry.

Andrew Hassell

ANDREW HASSELL is an associate postgraduate dean for education in the West Midlands Deanery and a consultant in rheumatology at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke on Trent.

Andrew Whitehouse

ANDREW WHITEHOUSE is a director of hospital and specialist education in the West Midlands Deanery, and a consultant physician at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

Alison Bullock

ALISON BULLOCK is Reader in Medical and Dental Education in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham and a senior member of the Centre for Research in Medical and Dental Education in the School of Education.

David Wall

DAVID WALL is a deputy regional postgraduate dean in the West Midlands Deanery and a professor of medical education at Staffordshire University.