Client supervision: Meaning and experiences from the perspective of Norwegian public health nurses

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the meaning and experiences of client supervision from the perspective of Norwegian public health nurses. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that new intervention strategies to improve public health are necessary. Supervision represents such a strategy. Three focus groups were interviewed twice. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed three themes: (i) the meaning of the umbrella term client supervision; informing, teaching, giving advice and ensuring the quality of supervision; (ii) factors influencing supervision; the public health nurses' available time and competence and the clients' ability to be supervised; and (iii) events and content representing the complexity of conducting supervision. In conclusion, the width of the concept, the influencing factors and the complexity claim that public health nurses have competence to supervise.