The requirements for the MSF
1 MSF must be completed in each training year. This means one MSF in ST1, one in ST2 and one in ST3. During ST3 a separate “leadership MSF” must also be completed.
Each MSF must have at least 10 respondents and this should normally be at least 5 clinicians and at least 5 non clinicians. In primary care, the clinicians will usually be GPs, but responses should be representative of the wider team, so may include other clinicians.
In non-primary care posts where it is not possible to find 5 non-clinician respondents it is acceptable to ask more clinicians, but the minimum of 10 total respondents still applies. For each MSF we would recommend asking more than 10 people to ensure the minimum number of respondents is reached.
Preparing for the MSF
A date to conduct the MSF should be agreed with the Educational or Clinical Supervisor and time set aside after the closing date to discuss the feedback generated.
Complete the self-assessment and then select the respondents.
From the Portfolio, the GP Registrar should start a survey and complete a self-assessment. Colleagues' details (name, email address, and role) must be added. Once at least 10 colleagues have been added, an email invite can be sent to respondents through the Portfolio. Respondents need to click the link in the email to complete the survey. Their answers are anonymous, but please note that the supervisor will be able to see details of people invited to complete the survey.
Completing and responding to the MSF
Respondents need to click the link in the email to complete the survey. Their answers are anonymous, but supervisors can see details of people invited to complete the survey.
The Trainee Portfolio shows how many colleagues have responded but does not identify which specific individuals have responded. Automatic reminders are sent out if colleagues have not responded within 10 days of the initial invitation.
Respondents are asked a series of questions, which are as follows:
- Please provide your assessment of this doctor’s overall professional behaviour
- Highlights in performance (areas to be commended)
- Possible suggested areas for development in performance
- Please provide your assessment of this doctor’s overall clinical performance
- Highlights in performance (areas to be commended)
- Possible suggested areas for development in performance
Using MSF feedback
Educational Supervisors have access to the anonymised results once the MSF closes. Once authorised by the Educational Supervisor, the results will be available in the Trainee Portfolio.
A feedback discussion should then be held with the Clinical or Educational Supervisor. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the results. This discussion and the resulting action plan can be recorded in the Learning Log / PDP.
While the MSF is designed to be anonymous, it may be possible to identify who wrote a comment by what has been written. If this happens, the GP registrar should discuss this with their Educational Supervisor.