Table 3

Operationalisation of feedback characteristics for Case 2

Feedback characteristicOperationalisation in Case 2
Feedback characteristics—content
 Sign of feedback intervention (FI)Not applicable—outcome measures were per cent of patients meeting criterion
 Correct–incorrectEmployed indirectly—outcome measures were per cent of patients meeting criterion
 Correct solutionEmployed indirectly

  1. Everyone received educational webinar regarding current guidelines for hypertension management and what specifically would be targeted in the study.

  2. Scores about each hypertension management aspect (rather than only an overall score) helped recipients shift focus to the specific aspect requiring most attention

 VelocityGraph showing individual and (where appropriate) group scores at each time point in the study, available throughout the life of the study
 Attainment levelScores about each aspect of hypertension management
 Normative informationNot used—per FIT recommendations
 NormsGraph showing individual and study average scores
 Discouraging FINot used—per FIT recommendations
 PraiseNot used—per FIT recommendations
Feedback characteristics—format
 Verbal FINot used—per FIT recommendations
 Written FIWeb-based feedback reports containing aforementioned scores and graphs
 Both verbal and writtenNot used—per FIT recommendations against verbal feedback
 Graphical FIGraph depicting individual and group temporal trends
 Computer FIAll feedback delivered web-based
 Public FINot used—per FIT recommendations
 Group FIGroup-intervention arm received group-based scores. All groups received study average
 Individual FIIndividual-intervention and control arms received individual scores
 Group + individual FICombined-intervention arm received both group and individual scores
Situational and other variables
 FI frequencyEvery 4 months for five study periods
 Goal settingProvided suggested goals for next performance period, based on achievable benchmarks of care
 Explicit, measurable target AND action planTarget goals only, as described above
 Feedback sourceResearch team
 Direction of behaviour change required to improveVariable
Task characteristics
 Task noveltyLow—73% of participants had read the full or summarised guidelines before enrolling in the study, and 81% of all participants agreed with the guideline recommendations30
 Task complexityModerately low complexity
 Time constraintNo
 Time durationNot measured
 CreativityLow (algorithm simplifies decision-making)
 Quantity-qualityQuantity and quality
 Ratings vs objective performanceObjective performance
 Transfer measureNo
 Latency measureNo
Task typeNo

  •  ▸ Physical task

No

  •  ▸ Reaction time

No

  •  ▸ Memory task

No

  •  ▸ Knowledge task

Yes

  •  ▸ Following rules

Yes (following guidelines algorithm)

  •  ▸ Vigilance task

No
Baseline complianceVariable