NES MSF Questionnaire

Resources NES MSF Questionnaire

The GMC requires all doctors where possible to participate in an MSF process once in every five-year revalidation cycle. In order to minimise confusion and ensure fairness across all medical specialties, the Scottish Government commissioned NES to develop a national system for Multi Source Feedback (MSF), focusing on the essential attributes that all doctors should demonstrate when working with colleagues, no matter their specialty or setting.

The NES MSF tool was developed by an external provider, WASP Software. Initially the system was setup as a standalone process; then in January 2013, SOAR was set up to link to WASP to ensure a seamless experience for those undertaking MSF where users simply login to SOAR to access the WASP MSF service.

MSF process requirements

The WASP MSF process takes 3 weeks to complete from when raters are nominated; and a report is only made available at the end of the 3 weeks if the doctor has received at least 8 rater-responses and if they have completed their self-assessment questionnaire.

For this purpose, it is strongly recommended that (if possible) at least 15 raters are nominated to have the best possible chance of receiving the 8 responses required. (Make sure to have these 15 email addresses ready for entering into the WASP system.)

Should I do MSF?

If you are currently dealing with significant difficult personal or professional issues, this may not be the best time to undertake MSF. If you need to complete the MSF for revalidation, we advise that you discuss this with your appraiser before proceeding.

When should I start?

If your appraisal is due in the next few months, you can log onto the system and get started now. The system works best if it ties in with your annual appraisal so that the automated downloading function is synchronised to SOAR. If possible, begin the process at least 4 weeks prior to your appraisal date (we recommend 6-8 weeks before).

However, we realise that there may be certain situations where this is not possible. For example, you might have already had your appraisal but realised afterwards that the MSF is required for revalidation purposes. In which case you can:

discuss with your appraiser the possibility of reviewing the report with you at a separate one-off meeting and, if agreed, undertake the process now; or
wait until your next appraisal is due and undertake the process then, starting 6-8 weeks before your appraisal date.

In the absence of a MSF, your revalidation date may be deferred by your RO to give you more time to complete this.

Summary of Process

Login to SOAR (in Appraisee role), and click on "MSF" from the menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions and you will be redirected to the WASP website (which will open in a new window).
You will be asked to
- complete profile information about yourself;
- complete the self-assessment questionnaire (click on the "Finish" button on the last page);
- provide details of at least 15 raters - have their email addresses to hand (at least 8 responses is needed for the system to generate a report).
The raters should be people you work with on a regular basis, and from a range of staff groups (for example - nurses, AHPs, admin and clerical staff, managerial staff, other doctors).
Please let your raters know to expect an email from WASP Software (check junk/spam folders).
Thereafter the online system will take over the administration and you just need to wait.
The system will contact your raters (including reminder emails) and they will have 3 weeks to provide the requested feedback (they will be given guidance on the purpose of the questionnaire and how to complete it).
The system will then collate all responses to produce an anonymised report which you and your appraiser will be able to access from SOAR:
- One week before your appraisal meeting date (as recorded on SOAR), SOAR will connect to WASP to download your MSF report (if available) and insert it into your appraisal forms. You will be notified via system emails when this has been done;
- If none is available, SOAR will continue to attempt the download daily up to the meeting date - thereafter will require manual downloading.
To ensure this happens smoothly, you should login to SOAR and begin the MSF process at least 4 weeks prior to your meeting with your appraiser (we recommend 6-8 weeks prior to appraisal date to give yourself plenty of time).

Repeating MSF?

WASP Software has a data retention policy where any reports downloaded to SOAR are deleted automatically after 4 months.

If you run into any problems please contact SOAR@nes.scot.nhs.uk for further assistance (ensure to provide your GMC number).

MSF: Frequently Asked Questions

NES MSF Questionnaire