title: How ratings vary by staff group in multi-source feedback assessment of junior doctors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  UK doctors-in-training undergo assessments of their professional behaviours. From an analysis of multi-source feedback (MSF) data, we report how ratings of junior doctors (Foundation Programme [FP] doctors and senior house officers [SHOs]) differed by staff group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MSF data were collected in 2003 and 2005 in hospitals in the West Midlands. Using a single-sided Team Assessment of Behaviour form, 1928 assessors evaluated 226 FP doctors and SHOs in four domains: professional relationship with patients; communication; team-working, and accessibility. The distribution of 'concerns' across the professional groups was explored using a random effects logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, each trainee received nine assessment forms from a range of staff, most commonly nurses. Although concerns were identified for the minority, ratings varied by staff group. Peers (other FP doctors or SHOs) and administrators or managers were four and three times, respectively, less likely to indicate concern. By contrast, consultants and sisters (senior nurses) were more likely to give concern ratings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Guidance on the selection of assessors in any MSF process should take into account findings that rating behaviour varies by staff group.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. bullockad@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alison D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassell
authors.forename: Wolfgang A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004739:England; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic