Feedback
IDSP training module for state and
district surveillance officers
Module 10
Learning objectives
•Describe feedback in the context of IDSP
•Describe the need and importance of regular
feedback in disease surveillance
•List the information and frequency and types
of feedback submitted at selected levels
•List the actions expected based on the
feedback with regards to quality of data and
programme performance
Difficulties with surveillance system with
no feedback
•Lack of motivation
•Unreliability
•Sluggishness
•Data falsification
Data collection
Analysis
and action
Feedback
The surveillance cycle
Uses of feedback
•Keeps channels of communication open
Strengthen working relationship between levels
•Keeps staff informed of the larger picture
Allows comparison with other units
•Gives staff an idea of their performance
Allows identification of strength and weaknesses
•Motivates staff
Review of products stimulates interest
•Educate the participants of the system
Data allows reference to background information
Data flow and feedback
Centre
State
District
Primary / Community
health centre
Data Feedback
Community
Content of feedback
•Information on diseases under surveillance
Summary tables
Analyzed epidemiological data
•Time (trends)
•Place (Maps)
•Persons (Tables)
•Information on quality of data collected
Element to cover in feedback
on data quality
•Regularity of reporting
•Timeliness of reporting
•Completeness of reporting
•Responses initiated by the unit
•Validity of data
Newsletter
•Regular epidemiological bulletin
•Educational tool
•Contains
Summary tables and graphs
Commentary on diseases or topic
Monthly review meetings
•District / block monthly meeting
•Presentation of data during meetings
•Generates comments from peers
•Need to stress positive aspects
Public negative comments may de-motivate
Outbreak investigation reports
•Excellent for feedback and learning
•Allow sharing of experiences that may be
encountered in other places
Informal feedback
•Oral feedback
•Useful for pointing out mistakes
Electronic methods
•Through email, websites
•Fast and efficient
•May be updated rapidly
•Allows
Dynamic data presentation
Queries
Completeness and timeliness
•Report on time
Reaches the designated level in the prescribed
time period
•Report complete
All reporting units have reported