Receiving group clinical supervision: a phenomenological study

The establishment and value of peer group clinical supervision: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives

AIMS

Explore perspectives of steering group members and external clinical supervision facilitators of developing and establishing peer group clinical supervision.

BACKGROUND

The climate of healthcare is complex which can lead to staff burnout and challenges to practice. Clinical supervision is suggested as an approach to managing and leadership of such complexities.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive.

METHODS

Focus group interviews with 19 members of the peer group clinical supervision steering groups and individual interviews with five external clinical supervision facilitators from the Western region of Ireland were conducted. Data analysis followed Elo and Kyngäs' content analysis method, involving preparation, organising and reporting, to extract meaning and identify patterns from the qualitative data collected.

RESULTS

Developing peer group clinical supervision practice requires, clarity of purpose and function that address the pros and cons of clinical supervision. Organisational leadership is required to support and release staff for peer group clinical supervision and peer group clinical supervisors need to be credible and have a level of expertise in practice. When prepared and supported, the aspects of confidence, leadership, personal development and resilience develop.

CONCLUSION

Peer group clinical supervisors need training and ongoing continual professional development for their role, scope of practice and responsibilities. Sustainability rests on staff awareness and familiarity with the purpose and format of peer group clinical supervision and the regularity of sessions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Peer group clinical supervision is a means of supporting improvement of patient care delivery while in parallel supporting personal and professional development of staff, building resilience in the workplace.

IMPACT

This study explored the implementation of peer group clinical supervision for staff across nursing and midwifery disciplines. It found that implementing peer group clinical supervision had a positive impact on staff well-being and morality and on patient care delivery. These findings influence healthcare service providers in implementing peer group clinical supervision in a sustainable way enabling nurses to continue working in complex healthcare environments delivering safe person-centred care.

REPORTING METHOD

The qualitative reporting guidelines Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) were followed.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patient/public involvement was addressed in this study by staff, managers, planners, directors, leaders and educationalists being involved at all stages of the study (concept, design, analysis and reporting).

Peer group clinical supervision for community health nurses: Perspectives from an interpretive hermeneutic study

AIM

To explore the lived experience of utilizing peer group supervision in practice for community health nurses.

BACKGROUND

Community health nursing is an autonomous and challenging role where quality clinical supervision has benefits for the registered nurse. The structured New Zealand Coaching and Mentoring model of peer group supervision provides the foundation for this research.

METHOD

An interpretative hermeneutic study explored the experience of peer group supervision in a regional health service in Australia. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with all levels of nursing staff to gain an understanding of their experience of peer group supervision.

RESULTS

Data interpretation through hermeneutic analysis revealed the value and professional sustenance gained by participants. Identified game changers include adherence to rules and the influence of group dynamics. These areas were found to impact the quality of supervision.

CONCLUSIONS

This research provides different perspectives of peer group supervision that shares the experience of staff immersed in the process. Peer group supervision yields benefits for community health nurses; however, the research has implications for practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nurse managers require information when making key decisions regarding workplace implementation. Effective supervision is only possible when balance between benefits and game changers are achieved.

Enablers and barriers to effective clinical supervision in the workplace: a rapid evidence review

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to review the international literature to understand the enablers of and barriers to effective clinical supervision in the workplace and identify the benefits of effective clinical supervision.

DESIGN

A rapid evidence review.

DATA SOURCES

Five databases (CINAHL, OVID Embase, OVID Medline, OVID PsycInfo and ProQuest) were searched to ensure inclusion and breadth of healthcare professionals.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies identifying enablers and barriers to effective clinical supervision across healthcare professionals in a Western context between 1 January 2009 and 12 March 2019.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

An extraction framework with a detailed inclusion/exclusion criteria to ensure rigour was used to extract data. Data were analysed using a thematic qualitative synthesis. These themes were used to answer the research objectives.

RESULTS

The search identified 15 922 papers, reduced to 809 papers following the removal of duplicates and papers outside the inclusion criteria, with 135 papers being included in the full review. Enablers identified included regular supervision, occurs within protected time, in a private space and delivered flexibly. Additional enablers included supervisees being offered a choice of supervisor; supervision based on mutual trust and a positive relationship; a cultural understanding between supervisor and supervisee; a shared understanding of the purpose of supervision, based on individual needs, focused on enhancing knowledge and skills; training and feedback being provided for supervisors; and use of a mixed supervisor model, delivered by several supervisors, or by those trained to manage the overlapping (and potentially conflicting) needs of the individual and the service. Barriers included a lack of time, space and trust. A lack of shared understanding to the purpose of the supervision, and a lack of ongoing support and engagement from leadership and organisations were also found to be barriers to effective clinical supervision.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified several enablers of and barriers to effective clinical supervision and the subsequent benefits of effective clinical supervision in a healthcare setting.

Developing advanced clinical practice skills in gastrointestinal consequences of cancer treatment

This article explores the transition from a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) towards developing advanced clinical practice skills within a gastrointestinal consequences of cancer clinic. It presents data on the first 50 patients assessed by the CNS from a prospective service evaluation, demonstrating how this informed the nurse's future learning. There is high demand for advanced clinical practice skills to address unmet health needs and improve the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare services. However, a literature review found no literature on developing advanced clinical practice skills in this setting. Emerging themes from the service evaluation focused on barriers and enablers, ongoing support, organisational commitment and working in a multidisciplinary team. Blended learning provided both structured and opportunistic learning, embedding both formal and tacit knowledge, as roles require increasing flexibility. Clinical supervision and reflective practice were key in maintaining professional and peer support.