[Method for evaluating the competence of specialists--the validation of 360-degree-questionnaire].
BACKGROUND
Assessment of physicians' performance focuses on the quality of their work. The aim of this study was to develop a valid, usable and acceptable multisource feedback assessment tool (MFAT) for hospital consultants.


METHODS
Statements were produced on consultant competencies within non-medical areas like collaboration, professionalism, communication, health promotion, academics and administration. The statements were validated by physicians and later by non-physician professionals after adjustments had been made. In a pilot test, a group of consultants was assessed using the final collection of statements of the MFAT. They received a report with their personal results and subsequently evaluated the assessment method.


RESULTS
In total, 66 statements were developed and after validation they were reduced and reformulated to 35. Mean scores for relevance and "easy to understand" of the statements were in the range between "very high degree" and "high degree". In the pilot test, 18 consultants were assessed by themselves, by 141 other physicians and by 125 other professionals in the hospital. About two thirds greatly benefited of the assessment report and half identified areas for personal development. About a third did not want the head of their department to know the assessment results directly; however, two thirds found a potential value in discussing the results with the head.


CONCLUSIONS
We developed an MFAT for consultants with relevant and understandable statements. A pilot test confirmed that most of the consultants gained from the assessment, but some did not like to share their results with their heads. For these specialists other methods should be used.
Nørgaard
Kirsten
K
Endokrinologisk Afdeling, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. kirsten.noergaard@hvh.regionh.dk
Pedersen
Juri
J
Ravn
Lisbeth
L
Albrecht-Beste
Elisabeth
E
Holck
Kim
K
Fredløv
Maj
M
Møller
Lars Krag
LK
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003718:Denmark; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005246:Feedback; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic