The document outlines a training module for surveillance officers focusing on the importance of feedback in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). It highlights the need for regular feedback to improve data quality, motivate staff, and enhance overall program performance while detailing various feedback methods. Key feedback components include timeliness, completeness, and validity of reports, along with strategies to improve communication within the surveillance system.

1. Feedback
IDSP training module for state and
district surveillance officers
Module 10

2. 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

3. Difficulties with surveillance system with
no feedback
• Lack of motivation
• Unreliability
• Sluggishness
• Data falsification

4. Data collection
Analysis
and action
Feedback
The surveillance cycle

5. 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

6. Data flow and feedback
Centre
State
District
Primary / Community
health centre
Data Feedback
Community

7. 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

8. 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

9. Feedback methods
• Newsletters
• Monthly review meetings
• Reports
• Informal feedback
• Electronic communication

10. Newsletter
• Regular epidemiological bulletin
• Educational tool
• Contains
 Summary tables and graphs
 Commentary on diseases or topic

11. 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

12. Outbreak investigation reports
• Excellent for feedback and learning
• Allow sharing of experiences that may be
encountered in other places

13. Informal feedback
• Oral feedback
• Useful for pointing out mistakes

14. Electronic methods
• Through email, websites
• Fast and efficient
• May be updated rapidly
• Allows
 Dynamic data presentation
 Queries

15. Completeness and timeliness
• Report on time
 Reaches the designated level in the prescribed
time period
• Report complete
 All reporting units have reported