A systematic review of clinical supervision evaluation studies in nursing.

According to the international, extant literature published during the last 20 years or so, clinical supervision (CS) in nursing is now a reasonably common phenomenon. Nevertheless, what appears to be noticeably 'thin on the ground' in this body of literature are empirical evaluations of CS, especially those pertaining to client outcomes. Accordingly, the authors undertook a systematic review of empirical evaluations of CS in nursing to determine the state of the science. Adopting the approach documented by Stroup et al. (JAMA, 283, 2000, 2008), the authors searched for reports of evaluation studies of CS in nursing - published during the years 1995 to 2015. Keywords for the search were 'clinical supervision', 'evaluation', 'efficacy', 'nursing', and combinations of these keywords. Electronic databases used were CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychLIT, and the British Nursing Index. The research evidence from twenty-eight (28) studies reviewed is presented, outlining the main findings with an overview of each study presented. The following broad themes were identified and are each discussed in the study: narrative/anecdotal accounts of positive outcomes for clinical supervision, narrative/anecdotal accounts of negative outcomes for clinical supervision, empirical positive outcomes reported by supervisee, and empirical findings showing no effect by supervisee.

A systematic review of evidence relating to clinical supervision for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

AIM: The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence relating to clinical supervision for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. BACKGROUND: Since 1902 statutory supervision has been a requirement for UK midwives, but this is due to change. Evidence relating to clinical supervision for nurses and allied health professions could inform a new model of clinical supervision for midwives. DESIGN: A systematic review with a contingent design, comprising a broad map of research relating to clinical supervision and two focussed syntheses answering specific review questions. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases were searched from 2005 - September 2015, limited to English-language peer-reviewed publications. REVIEW METHODS: Systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of clinical supervision were included in Synthesis 1. Primary research studies including a description of a clinical supervision intervention were included in Synthesis 2. Quality of reviews were judged using a risk of bias tool and review results summarized in tables. Data describing the key components of clinical supervision interventions were extracted from studies included in Synthesis 2, categorized using a reporting framework and a narrative account provided. RESULTS: Ten reviews were included in Synthesis 1; these demonstrated an absence of convincing empirical evidence and lack of agreement over the nature of clinical supervision. Nineteen primary studies were included in Synthesis 2; these highlighted a lack of consistency and large variations between delivered interventions. CONCLUSION: Despite insufficient evidence to directly inform the selection and implementation of a framework, the limited available evidence can inform the design of a new model of clinical supervision for UK-based midwives.

An overview and history of interpersonal psychotherapy.

Interpersonal psychotherapy is regarded as an effective psychotherapy particularly in the treatment of depression and has been around for more than 20 years. However, there is a paucity of information and discussion in the nursing literature. This article provides an overview of interpersonal psychotherapy, including its origins and historical background. This is followed by a description of the model and its application in patients with major depression.

Developing the general principles of psychological skills in mental health nursing.

The world's older population is expected to show a three-fold increase in the next 50 years. In 2000, older people in the UK accounted for nearly one-sixth of the population. As people live longer, pressure on services to deliver interventions that meet the psychological as well as the physical needs of older people will increase (Laidlaw 2004). In the past 20 years, cognitive behavioural therapy has become an increasingly popular approach to a wide range of mental health problems (Hollon 1998) and evidence of its efficacy has grown remarkably (Sourial 1997; Hollon et al 1993; Laidlaw 2004). This article shows that older people can and do benefit from CBT provided by clinical nurse specialists. It also argues that providing opportunities for mental health staff to increase their understanding of CBT is another important function of the specialist nurse's role.

Clinical supervision: beginning the supervisory relationship.

While much has been written on clinical supervision (CS) in the nursing literature, there appears to be minimal attention afforded to the supervisory relationship and in particular the early phases of this relationship. It is understood that the quality of the supervisory relationship has a significant contribution towards the efficacy of CS. In acknowledging the struggles in demonstrating the effectiveness of supervision it seems reasonable to turn attention towards the relationship between supervisor and supervisee. This article begins by providing an overview of the supervision literature concerned with the supervisory relationship. Following this, attention is focused on the commencement of this alliance by describing the processes and attributes needed to commence a supervisory relationship.A comprehensive template for establishing a supervision agreement is presented. However, it is suggested that this template does not have to be confined for use in this particular clinical context but may be applicable to a variety of nursing environments. It is proposed that such an agreement/contract facilitates healthy beginnings for the supervisory relationship and goes some way towards enhancing the trajectory of this alliance.

Audio recording nurse-patient interactions.

BACKGROUND: Clinical supervision is accepted as important in all areas of nursing. There are various methods available for conducting clinical supervision but the most commonly used is self-reporting by the supervisee to his or her supervisor. However, other methods might also be applicable. CONCLUSION: This article discusses the merits of using audio recordings of nurse-patient interactions in clinical supervision and suggests that such a method may help to improve patient care.

Clinical supervision models for nursing: structure, research and limitations.

This article highlights the diversity of supervision models currently described in the nursing literature, clarifies their structure, discusses research conducted on specific supervision models and outlines their limitations. It offers insight into some of the common models that have received coverage in the nursing literature.