Group clinical supervision for allied health professionals

Abstract

Objective To evaluate a group clinical supervision program for allied health professionals in a regional health service. Design This study used a mixed‐methods design including a cross‐sectional, quantitative survey of group clinical supervision participants and a focus group of facilitators. Setting A large regional health service in Victoria, providing hospital, community and mental health services. Participants Allied health professionals and managers employed at the health service. Interventions Group clinical supervision, based on a critical reflection model, was implemented in 3 settings. Main outcome measure The Clinical Supervision Evaluation Questionnaire was administered to group clinical supervision participants, with additional open‐ended questions included. The Clinical Supervision Evaluation Questionnaire tool consists of 3 subscales relating to the purpose, process and impact of group clinical supervision. A focus group was used to capture the perspectives of group clinical supervision facilitators. Results Fifteen survey responses were received. The overall Clinical Supervision Evaluation Questionnaire score was 56.53 (standard deviation 7.66). Scores for the Process Subscale were higher than the Purpose and Impact subscales. Themes from the open‐ended survey questions included the following: value of multiple perspectives, opportunities for reflection, peer support and group process and structure. Themes from group facilitators’ focus group included the following: need for group clinical supervision, value of facilitator training and support, and sustainability. Conclusion Group clinical supervision was perceived to be effective, enhancing reflection, learning and peer support. Organisational support, facilitator training, group structure and planning for sustainability were identified as critical factors for success. Interprofessional and cross‐organisational models of group clinical supervision are strategies that could help address issues relating to access to quality clinical supervision for rural allied health professionals.

‘Are we opening a can of worms?’: Community‐based occupational therapists' experiences working with clients with unexpected mental health issues

“…Mechanisms other than formal training may be used promote mental health support skills in general community OTs, for example, collaborating with those in mental health specific roles and implementing interdisciplinary, interorganisational or group clinical supervision. These activities can lead to enhanced clinical skills, promote interdisciplinary teamwork (Beddoe & Howard, 2012; Gardner et al.. 2021) and strengthen mental health care networks and systems.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical guidance and risk assessments, and the importance of effective leadership to support UK obstetric sonographers

“…Although not commonly used within sonography, positive outcomes reported in nursing professionals include reduced feelings of isolation, improved teamwork and a feeling of being better supported in a crisis [38] . Proctor's model, which encompasses the restorative (emotional), formative (skills development) and normative (organisational) domains of practice [39] , is commonly used to support clinical supervision sessions which may be delivered individually or as a group [40] . The Society of Radiographers have previously published guidance to support the development of supervision in imaging departments [41] , however, there is currently no consensus on the optimum framework for allied health professionals [42] , and research specific to the UK sonographic workforce is limited at present [43] .…”

Enhancing the quality of allied health clinical supervision in a regional setting: An action research study

“…The findings from the current study have implications for practice, policy and research for allied health clinical supervision. Flexible approaches to clinical supervision practice are required to address known barriers to accessing quality clinical supervision, such as lack of access to clinical supervisors or lack of choice of clinical supervisors 5,20 . For experienced allied health clinicians, this could include models of group, peer and interprofessional supervision.…”

“…For experienced allied health clinicians, this could include models of group, peer and interprofessional supervision. These models should include training for participants, tools and structure to ensure alignment with supervisee learning needs and promote trust and safety and robust evaluation to inform future expansion 20,39 . Effective implementation of clinical supervision requires active leadership at all levels 34 .…”

“…An action research approach was chosen to inform and evaluate the implementation of the framework. Data were collected to inform the various action research cycles 10,12,20 . Two administrations of the MCSS‐26 clinical supervision survey occurred to assess the effectiveness of clinical supervision when the framework was implemented and then 5 years later to determine changes over time.…”