TGA stakeholder survey 2016
Collaboration, consultation and feedback
Measures of collaboration, consultation and feedback were less positive than other measures in the survey, with most measures showing less than half of the sample agreeing with the range of statements around consultation and feedback, and around one in five disagreeing (Table 10).
The strongest outcome here was in relation to the ability to provide feedback, with 62% agreeing that they are able to do this and 14% disagreeing on this statement.
Key areas where there were lower perceived opportunities to engage with the TGA included in relation to the range of feedback channels available, the timeliness of consultation and perceptions of the collaborative approach of the organisation.
Table 10: Collaboration, consultation and feedback
| Statements | Nett Disagree | Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither agree nor disagree | Agree | Strongly agree | Nett Agree | NA/Not sure | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The TGA consults with me on relevant issues | 19% | 5% | 14% | 23% | 37% | 14% | 51% | 7.3% | 2589 |
| I am able to provide feedback to the TGA | 14% | 4% | 10% | 19% | 45% | 17% | 62% | 5.0% | 2586 |
| The TGA listens to feedback | 18% | 5% | 13% | 31% | 31% | 12% | 42% | 9.3% | 2582 |
| TGA consultation is timely | 23% | 7% | 16% | 27% | 33% | 11% | 44% | 6.5% | 2573 |
| The TGA provides opportunities to provide input into key decisions that impact me | 21% | 6% | 15% | 26% | 34% | 12% | 46% | 7.0% | 2579 |
| The TGA provides a range of feedback channels | 18% | 4% | 14% | 30% | 34% | 9% | 43% | 8.7% | 2582 |
| The TGA is collaborative | 20% | 6% | 14% | 29% | 34% | 12% | 46% | 5.8% | 2574 |
Patterns across the key stakeholder groups highlighted some variation across the individual questions in this set (Figures 18-24). Generally those in the medical products industry tended to show slightly higher agreement and slightly lower disagreement across most statements tested. This was the case across most measures except for the statement I am able to provide feedback to the TGA, where agreement was fairly consistent across groups and highest amongst government stakeholders.
Within the medical products industry, there was a tendency to show higher agreement across key measures by those who identified in Industry association and regulatory affairs consultant roles. Members of these groups were generally more likely to agree that the TGA consults with me, listens to feedback, provides opportunities for input and provides a range of feedback channels. Whilst not always the case, these groups also tended to show lower levels of disagreement on these measures.
Figure 18: TGA consults me on relevant issues by Stakeholder category
For the statement focussing on consultation on relevant issues, those in the medical products industry tended to show higher agreement, than other groups, all of whom (except the small number of media stakeholders) showed less than 50% agreement on this statement. Of particular note here is the high level of disagreement amongst community and government stakeholders.
Figure 19: I am able to provide feedback to the TGA by Stakeholder category
There was generally low agreement across all groups that the TGA listens to feedback. Outcomes here were particularly low amongst those in the retailer and community categories, with low of just over one third agreement and around one in four participants disagreeing with the statements.
Figure 20: TGA listens to feedback by Stakeholder category
Figure 21: TGA consultation is timely by Stakeholder category
There was some variation across groups in relation to agreement that The TGA provides opportunities to input into key decisions that impact me. Those in the medical products industry appeared most likely to agree here, whilst community members, retailers and academics all showed lower agreement. Of particular note here is the outcome amongst community members, where those who disagreed with the statement outweighed those who agreed. This outcome was driven by strong levels of disagreement amongst patient and carer groups. This pattern in the community stakeholders group was similar across the range of questions here, with patients and carers exhibiting a high level of perceived separation from feedback and consultation processes compared to other groups such as consumers and consumer health representatives.
Figure 22: TGA provide opportunities to provide input into key decisions that impact me by Stakeholder category
Figure 23: TGA provides a range of feedback channels by Stakeholder category
There was generally low agreement across all groups in relation to the statement focussing on the range of feedback channels available. This is consistent with the low usage of the range of TGA contact channels identified later in the report (see communication and information services). Further promotion and awareness raising of the range of contact channels may assist to address this perception.
Less the half of respondents across all major stakeholder groups felt that the TGA is collaborative. In particular, community members and government stakeholders appears to show lower agreement on this measure.
Figure 24: TGA is collaborative by Stakeholder category
