Multisource feedback in dental postgraduation: A qualitative research

Abstract

Usha Carounanidy, K. R. Sethuraman, Ananthakrishnan Nilakantan, K. A. Narayan

Introduction: Workplace based assessments (WPBA) are effective tools to assess professionalism. Multisource feedback (MSF) is one of the WPBA that assesses the communication skills and attitude of a clinician. It is also used as a formative assessment tool to improve performance. This study was conducted to assess the intention to change toward better professionalism among dental postgraduates (PGs) of Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, after a brief exposure to MSF. Methodology: Colleagues’ feedback and patients’ feedback were obtained for 15 clinical PG using pre-validated questionnaires. These MSFs were shared with the PG in a private session. After 24 h reflection, they were asked to provide a feedback on the MSF procedure that they had been through, focusing on their intention to change toward better professionalism as well on feasibility of implementation in their curriculum. Results and Discussion: There was 100% response to the questionnaire. The PG considered that colleagues’, patients’, and staff nurses’ feedback will help them in improving their soft skills. All the PGs agreed that MSF can improve on professionalism if used as a formative assessment tool. An intention to change was evident from their feedback.