An evaluation study of individual performance review at Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Purpose: Individual performance review (IPR) was formally introduced into the National Health Service in 1986. Since its introduction many health care professionals have become involved in IPR schemes as both appraisers and appraisees. At Mount Vernon Hospital a working party was established to design and implement a suitable appraisal scheme throughout the hospital, which commenced in 1992. Three years later, this study evaluated how effectively the scheme has been implemented within the Cancer Treatment Centre. Methods: Three different questionnaires were designed and used to survey the appraisees, appraisers and managers of each of the professional groups participating in the scheme. Results: Approximately 80 questionnaires were returned, from which the results have highlighted many differences in the way in which the scheme is being implemented and how it is viewed by different groups of employees. Conclusions: The results from this study indicated that there are many variations in the extent and the manner with which the appraisal scheme has been implemented in the Cancer Treatment Centre. Recommendations, such as a review of the number of appraisees allocated to each appraiser and the format of the documentation, along with the need for more focused, regular training sessions are all suggested to increase participating personnel's commitment towards the IPR scheme in the future.