Clinical supervision is one part of a complex pie of workplace sustainability and wellbeing in healthcare. Practical and financial considerations for rolling out clinical supervision in the workplace suggest that team supervision is an efficient use of time and resources. But what does the evidence say? Please see below for an overview of potential outcomes that organisations might expect when implementing clinical supervision in the workplace.
Well supported staff provides optimal care for their clients.
As previously discussed, (see here and here), clinical supervision is an important part of ensuring best outcomes for patients, clients and service users, as well as being crucial for continued growth, wellbeing and learning for clinicians in the workplace.
Despite these challenges, it is important to consider what the research confirms thus far.
Outcomes in team supervision
Much of the literature divides outcomes across three core domains of the functions of supervision according to the work of Proctor:
Formative (educational): relating to education, skill and knowledge development
Normative (administrative): pertaining to standards of care, quality control, and professional accountability
Restorative (supportive):referring to collegial and emotional peer support; personal wellbeing
There is overlap across these areas of functioning, but it is helpful to understand outcomes in these three parts.
Formative / educational outcomes in team supervision
Educational outcomes involve'...teaching about relevant population groups, their special needs and challenges relating to the context/setting; models of practice and strategies for intervention and theoretical frameworks' (Berger & Quiros, 2014).
Formative outcomes may include:
increased understanding around models of care
development of clinical, practical or interpersonal skills particular to a specific client group
enhanced understanding of operational tasks
deepening theoretical knowledge or practical application of skills
development of creative and innovative thinking, problem solving and generating new ideas and perspectives
increased awareness of a clinician's own needs, responses and / or behaviours
Normative / administrative outcomes in team supervision
According to Berger & Quiros, an administrative focus in supervision includes '... monitoring adherence to organizational policies, delegating tasks and evaluating work performance', potentially resulting in:
greater clarity regarding clinical role and professional identity
an enhanced understanding of professional and ethical issues and challenges
increased team communication and understanding of organisational needs
an enhanced sense of confidence, competence and self-efficacy
clarifying issues around staffing, professional boundaries
managing complex cases
assessing and managing quality control and professional accountability
Themes uncovered in healthcare teams in supervision
The research shows common themes that emerge during supervision for healthcare workers.
For example, the following themes were found in supervising a group of healthcare workers in a rural mental health service in Victoria, Australia:
"Organisational culture
Exploring possibilities
Leadership
Education and training
Reflection
Culture change
Sustainability"
(Lynch, L., & Happell, B. (2008). Implementing clinical supervision: Part 1: Laying the ground work. International journal of mental health nursing, 17(1), 57-64, p. 60).
A place for reflection, mutual support and debriefing is often a central theme:
"The core category of safe reflection was seen as the key to ‘unscramble’ what was going on in a midwife’s head".
(Love, Sidebotham, Fenwick , Harvey & Fairbrother, 2017, p. 276).
Supportive / restorative outcomes in team supervision
'... emotional support to assist the supervisee with work related challenges/ stresses; identifying personal issues impacting their ability to work effectively with clients and strategies to address them (without shifting into individual therapy)'.
Restorative outcomes in the literature are well documented and may include:
increased connection to colleagues and reduced sense of isolation
improved sense of team stability and morale
increased sense of trust and community amongst team members
Anyone in healthcare will tell you that teams make the world go round. For better or for worse, the people in our teams have a huge impact on us. They can make or break our capacity to practice well, communicate well, be well and, importantly achieve great outcomes for our clients / patients. How can we ensure that we are healthy and thriving, individually and collectively in our work teams? Team supervision is an important cog in the wheel of compassion satisfaction and flourishing in helping work. What is team supervision and what is involved?
Connection, community and collaboration are essential for best outcomes in healthcare work. Drawing inspiration from thought leaders and research that advocates for a collective, compassionate and courageous response to peer support, this blog conceptualises a unique approach to collective care. How can we develop and support each other through creative expression and networks that hold us with a strong back, soft front, wild heart and clear mind for the wellbeing of our clients and our own sustainability in the work?
What might be some important considerations for workplaces when seeking professional supervision for healthcare staff? What are some of the key issues to consider when implementing clinical supervision? What are the barriers? And how can organisations ensure the best return on their investment? See below to set your workplace up for successful outcomes in supervision.
