46. QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODES ARE A MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF ELICITING FEEDBACK FROM PATIENTS AND FAMILIES

Abstract

Background Multisource feedback to residents is important for development and evaluation. In addition to traditional feedback from faculty, valuable feedback can be provided by patients and families. Previously, our program obtained family feedback via paper forms distributed on admission. This system resulted in a low response rate. Alternatively, Quick Response (QR) codes are an efficient means of gathering survey responses. Objective To determine whether QR codes are more effective than paper-based surveys in eliciting feedback for first-year residents from patients and families on inpatient units. Methods A standardized set of questions, adapted from Child HCAHPS, asked patients and families for feedback on their experience with first-year residents throughout hospitalization. The survey included multiple-choice and free text response. A QR code was created to link directly to the online survey. Survey responses were collected using REDCap, a secure data collection web application. The QR code was introduced onto already existing Family Centered Rounds handouts, which include name, role, and picture of each team member. At the start of each inpatient service month, first-year residents were briefed on project goals and expectations via e-mail and at required unit orientation. Study designers monitored response rate. Number of online survey responses was compared to the number collected using the previous paper-based method. Results In the first few months of the initiative, there were 30 completed feedback surveys. This was already a 7-fold increase from the previous year, during which only 4 surveys were collected via the paper-based method. Conclusions QR codes are a feasible and more effective method of eliciting feedback for first-year residents from patients and families on inpatient units. The use of a QR code decreases a barrier inherent to paper-based survey collection. Future directions include improving response rate by devising new strategies to involve patients and families and evaluating the effect of receiving feedback on first-year resident engagement with patients.