Multi-source feedback (MSF) for RACGP CPD: how it works and what it counts toward

Multi-source feedback (MSF) is one of the higher-yield activities in the Reviewing Performance (RP) category of RACGP CPD. A single MSF round can credit a meaningful chunk of your annual RP hours — far more efficiently than collecting individual case-based discussions one at a time.

The trade-off: it takes weeks to run, and most GPs put it off until it's too late to fit in the year. Here's how to do it without that fate.

What MSF is

MSF — sometimes called 360-degree feedback or peer-multisource — is a structured collection of feedback from multiple people who work with you: peers (other GPs), other clinical staff (nurses, allied health), administrative staff (reception, practice managers), and in some validated tools, patients.

Each respondent fills out a structured form rating various aspects of your practice: communication, clinical judgment, collegiality, professionalism, teamwork. You don't see individual responses (anonymous). You receive an aggregated report comparing your scores to peer norms.

The point isn't the rating itself; it's the pattern. If 8 respondents flag the same blind spot, that's the signal worth acting on.

Why MSF counts as RP

RP is the category where someone else informs your practice. MSF is eight or ten people informing your practice in a single instrument. By construction it's pure RP — and high-yield because the time invested produces hours of credit and (usually) genuine insight.

Tools the RACGP recognises

The RACGP names specific validated MSF tools in its CPD guidance. Examples include:

PMSR (Practice-based Multi-source Review) — runs through CPDCheck, widely used
RACGP MSF — RACGP's own tool, available to members
University-of-Wollongong MSF — sometimes used in academic practices
THINKGP MSF

These are validated instruments with proper psychometrics. Hand-built Google Forms surveys you write yourself don't count.

How an MSF round actually runs

Step 1: choose a tool (15 minutes). Pick a validated MSF tool. Most are paid (~$150-300 per round). Some are bundled with college membership.

Step 2: nominate respondents (30 minutes). You need typically 8-12 respondents across categories. Email each one with the link and instructions. Build in 2 weeks for completion — chase non-responders in week 3.

Step 3: collect responses (3-4 weeks). Most GPs find they need to gently chase about half their nominated respondents. Set yourself a reminder.

Step 4: receive aggregated report (1 week after deadline). The tool produces a report comparing your scores to peer norms across each dimension.

Step 5: review with a peer or supervisor (1-2 hours). Most RACGP-recognised MSF processes require you to discuss the results with a colleague. This is the genuinely valuable bit — and it's part of what makes the activity count as RP.

Step 6: write a structured reflection (30 minutes). What did the feedback say? Where was the consistent signal? What's the one action you're committing to?

Step 7: log in PracticaCPD and self-record with RACGP. Upload the aggregated report as evidence, log the hours under Reviewing Performance, write the reflection in the reflection field.

What MSF tends to credit

A complete MSF round (Steps 1-7 above) typically credits 8-15 hours of RP. Variation is by tool — some include longer reflective workshops; some are leaner. Check your specific tool's documentation.

That's roughly a third of your year's RP requirement done in a single, well-structured activity. Compared to organising eight separate peer discussions, it's a huge time saver.

Common ways MSF goes sideways

Starting in October. MSF takes 6-8 weeks to run properly. Starting in October means it doesn't finish in time. Run MSF in Q1 or Q2.
Not enough respondents. Most tools require minimum 8 responses for valid output. Nominate 12 to allow for drop-out.
No peer discussion of results. Skipping Step 5 means the activity is closer to passive feedback collection than RP. Don't skip.
No reflection. The report's value lies in your action, not in the numbers themselves.

How PracticaCPD logs MSF

Log MSF as an activity with category Reviewing Performance, attach the aggregated PDF report as evidence, write a 3-4 sentence reflection on what changed in your practice, and the hours credit to your RP total automatically. The Statement of Completion includes the reflection so it's audit-ready.