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

OBJECTIVE To explore participants' overall perception of the value of the P eer Consultation Reflection Exercise (PCRE); of barriers and facilitators t o participation and learning during a PCRE; and of the transferability of t he experience to participants' own settings. DESIGN This study used the qualitative techniques of key informant intervie ws 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 p articipants were conducted to explore participants' experience of participa ting and learning during a PCRE. MAIN FINDINGS Participants viewed the PCRE as a valuable opportunity to int eract and learn from colleagues and were especially impressed with the oppo rtunity to listen. Confidentiality and the important role of the facilitato r 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 professiona l development. It could be used in other settings.