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

  • Alex Pollock
  • , Pauline Campbell
  • , Ruth Deery
  • , Mick Fleming
  • , Jeanie Rankin
  • , Graham Sloan
  • , Helen Cheyne

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    672 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Aim: 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.

    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 summarised in tables. Data describing the key components of clinical supervision interventions were extracted from studies included in Synthesis 2,
    categorised 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.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing
    Early online date8 Feb 2017
    DOIs
    Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 8 Feb 2017

    Keywords

    • clinical supervision
    • Midwives
    • Nurses
    • allied health professionals
    • literature review
    • systematic review

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