Group clinical supervision for allied health professionals

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.