Peer consultation reflection exercise - Innovative strategy for personal and professional development

OBJECTIVE To explore participants' overall perception of the value of the Peer Consultation Reflection Exercise (PCRE); of barriers and facilitators to participation and learning during a PCRE; and of the transferability of the experience to participants' own settings. DESIGN This study used the qualitative techniques of key informant interviews and a focus group. SETTING Focus group and key informant interviews at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the College of Family Physicians of Canada's Section of Teachers. PARTICIPANTS Family medicine teachers attending a PCRE. METHOD Five key informant interviews and one focus group composed of five participants were conducted to explore participants' experience of participating and learning during a PCRE. MAIN FINDINGS Participants viewed the PCRE as a valuable opportunity to interact and learn from colleagues and were especially impressed with the opportunity to listen. Confidentiality and the important role of the facilitator were identified as key components. The greatest perceived barrier was the formal structure of the PCRE. CONCLUSIONS The PCRE is an innovative strategy for personal and professional development. It could be used in other settings.