ABSTRACT
In a time of increased patient loads and emergency department (ED) exit block, the need for strategies to manage patient flow in the ED has become increasingly important. In March 2002 we contacted all 1282 members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians and asked them to delineate strategies for enhancing ED patient flow and ED productivity without increasing stress levels, reducing care standards or compromising patient safety. Thirty physicians responded. Their suggested flow management strategies, which ranged from clinical decision-making to communication to choreography of time, space and personnel, are summarized here.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe responses of family physicians, their medical colleagues, and coworker raters to a multisource feedback assessment process. METHOD: Data collection tools included multisource feedback self-assessment and medical colleague, coworker, and patient rating forms; and program evaluation physician and rater questionnaires. RESULTS: The pilot study included 142 physicians and their raters, with 113 (80%) physicians completing evaluations. Positive correlations were found between familiarity scores and medical colleague and coworker mean ratings. Peer medical colleagues were significantly more familiar with physicians than were consultants. Consultants were unable to rate items most frequently. Physicians disagreed with colleague feedback more frequently. Agreement was positively correlated with scores. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity, ability to observe physicians appropriately to rate them, and physicians' responses to feedback are factors to consider when multisource feedback is used.
