The Colleague Development Program: a multidisciplinary program of peer observation partnerships.
BACKGROUND
As an introduction to peer observation of teaching, a multi-disciplinary program of peer observation partnerships was implemented across Faculty of Health Sciences. The 'Colleague Development Program' focussed on formative feedback and on promoting collegiality within and across traditional discipline boundaries.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Colleague Development Program.


METHODS
Participants asked a trusted colleague to observe their teaching. Feedback on good practice and suggestions for improvement were sought. Colleague observations were guided by specific learning objectives articulated by participants. Following the teaching observation/s, the colleague observer and the participant discussed the extent to which the participant's learning objectives had been achieved. A written summary of mutually agreed outcomes was prepared. Program evaluation included anonymous participant questionnaire and focus group discussions.


RESULTS
Forty-two staff enrolled in the program with 23 completing all elements and participating in the evaluation. Participants reported increased confidence in teaching, confirmation of good practice, exposure to new ideas, and a greater sense of institutional support and collegiality.


CONCLUSIONS
Situating peer evaluation within a collegial partnership overcame participants' concerns about being the subject of 'evaluation' and 'criticism' by emphasising existing collegiality and trust amongst peers.
O'Keefe
Maree
M
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. maree.okeefe@adelaide.edu.au
Lecouteur
Amanda
A
Miller
Jennifer
J
McGowan
Ursula
U
D005178:Faculty / Q000592:standards; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D019370:Observation; D010380:Peer Review / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012576:Schools, Health Occupations / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013021:South Australia; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D000078329:Workforce