Developing a qualitative approach to 360-degree feedback to aid understanding and development of clinical expertise

* Aim: This paper presents one aspect of a 5-year multicentre action research study to develop an accreditation process for clinical nursing expertise. Part of the process consisted of the exploration, critique and refinement of qualitative 360-degree feedback as a tool for peer review.

* Background: Three hundred and sixty-degree feedback is widely used as a personal and professional development strategy. This part of the overall study challenged assumptions about the necessity for anonymity and structured questionnaires to collect data. The study involved 32 experienced clinical nurses drawn from a range of clinical settings supported by 'critical companions' (colleagues from clinical practice, education, management and research, recruited to provide supervision and support).

* Method(s): Study participants, facilitated by the project team (the authors), engaged in critiquing and refining 360-degree feedback as a process to help them examine and develop their practice.

* Conclusion(s): On the basis of our findings this approach to gathering 360-degree feedback facilitates the collection of evidence that aids professional development. There are indications that it may also contribute to improved working relationships.