Operational nursing managers' experiences of clinical supervision at a Johannesburg Hospital

Background: Clinical supervision is pivotal in supporting nurses in rendering quality, safe patient care. Therefore, it is essential to understand clinical supervision from operational nursing managers' context to define existing challenges and propose suitable recommendations. Objectives: This study aimed to explore and describe operational nursing managers' experiences of clinical supervision within the context of an academic hospital in Gauteng province and propose evidence-based practice recommendations to improve patient safety and the quality of clinical supervision. Method: An exploratory, sequential, mixed-method design was used and implemented over two phases to take advantage of the strengths of both the qualitative and quantitative research designs. Unstructured individual interviews were conducted to collect data in phase one, and an adapted Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS) questionnaire was used to collect data in phase two. Results: Operational nursing managers work in stressful conditions and environments with a gross shortage of staff and tools of the trade while being expected to deliver high-quality and safe nursing care. Of the sampled respondents, 36% (n = 17) were dissatisfied with the supervision they received, while 64% (n = 30) were indifferent in the sense that they did not think it was adequate or inadequate. Conclusion: Clinical supervisors should be trained and supported in clinical supervision, with regular workshops on interpersonal relations. Contribution: A clearer understanding of clinical supervision within the hospital context and evidence-based practice recommendations to improve patient safety and the quality of clinical supervision.

Evaluating the Rural Health Placements of the Rural Support Network at the Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Cape Town

Objectives: The Rural Support Network (RSN) is an undergraduate student society that aims to raise awareness among the student body of the plight of rural health in South Africa; and organises individual and group placements in rural hospitals during vacations. This research aimed to evaluate these placements from the students' perspectives.Design: In-depth; face-to-face interviews were conducted with 10 students and nine placement-reflective reports were reviewed. The data were analysed and coded for key themes using a constant; comparative grounded theory approach.Setting: Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Cape Town.Subjects: Students who had been on RSN placements in 2010.Results: Students reported that the experience exceeded their expectations of learning new skills and observing and performing procedures. They gained significant insights into rural health care and were inspired to contribute to rural health in future. Their experiences helped them to gain confidence and an appreciation of the psycho-social aspects of patient care. The importance of community empowerment and of connecting and building relationships with communities was also emphasised. Challenges pertained to conflict within groups; incidents of unprofessional health care and being unable to help as much as they would have liked.Conclusion: The study highlights the impact that positive experiences of rural health may have on health science students' interest in; passion for; and commitment to practising in underserved rural areas. Students' key recommendations for the FHS included the development of a rural programme within the undergraduate curriculum. Better group composition and improved planning and co-ordination of placements by the RSN were also recommended