Witnesses in the consultation room – Experiences of peer group supervision

Abstract

Background: In Denmark group supervision for general practitioners is an established part of continuing professional development. Several different approaches are used, including Balint Groups and Bendix Groups. The aim of this paper is to describe the benefits and challenges of a peer group supervision model with the role of supervisor taken by group members in turn. The setting was a group of general practitioners using a patient-centred consultation model and videorecordings of consultations. Methods and material: As part of a larger study the first author studied this long-established group by observing three group sessions over a period of six months. She conducted two individual, semistructured interviews with each general practitioner who presented consultations at the observed sessions, and held a group interview with the entire group at the end of the observation period. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Results and conclusion: Participation seemed to improve communication skills and the ability to take a more patient-centred approach. It increased job satisfaction and prevented burnout. A nonjudgemental environment, respect and acknowledgement of all participants were important for developing confidence and for supporting personal and professional development.

Quality circles for quality improvement in primary health care: Their origins, spread, effectiveness and lacunae– A scoping review

“…Our iterative searches returned 82 background papers (S3 File). Among retrieved papers, we deemed eligible and relevant 21 systematic reviews [33–53], 14 randomised controlled trials [54–67], 11 non-randomised controlled studies [68–78], 11 qualitative studies [79–89], and one mixed methods study [90] (S4 File). The systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, cohort and controlled before-and-after studies each described and evaluated the processes or techniques QCs used.…”

“…QCs respect the contribution of each individual. They also consider group dynamics and try to keep members focused without controlling the discussion [25, 28, 43, 47, 79, 89, 111, 112].…”

“…When participants talk about their practice performance in groups, this can take them outside their comfort zone, causing anxiety and generating a stress response [83, 145]. But this stress response may improve communication skills and provide a learning opportunity [88, 89]. Several groups of authors note that working in small groups may help prevent burnout and give general practitioners a sense of belonging that so they changed workplace less often [51, 80, 89, 146–148].…”

Quality circles for quality improvement in primary health care: their effectiveness, gaps of knowledge, origins and significance – a scoping review

“…The groups also choose their own facilitators, who observe and lead the group through the cycle of QI. Whilst respecting the contribution of each individual, and taking into consideration group dynamics, facilitators try to keep the members focused on the issue without controlling them (19, 22, 56–61).…”

“…This may raise anxiety and generate a stress response (124, 126). This same response, however, seems to improve communication skills and provides an opportunity for learning (61, 127). Several groups of authors note that small groups may be an important factor in preventing burnout and for someone remaining in the same area (50, 61, 91, 128–130).…”