A utilisation-focused evaluation of a clinical supervision programme for nurses and health visitors in one national health service trust

Abstract

The implementation of clinical supervision in the practice setting presents a major challenge for the nursing profession. There have been numerous reports and papers promoting its importance, and providing the impetus for this challenge (Department of Health, 1993; Butterworth & Faugier, 1994; Kohner, 1994). Clinical supervision has been well established as part of social work, counselling, psychotherapy and psychoanalytic practice, and in the nursing specialities of mental health and midwifery (Swain, 1995). Its utilisation by nurses and health visitors is clearly important and should be seen as integral to professional practice. This enquiry evaluated a programme purchased by a south coast of England Trust. The programme aimed to provide the knowledge and skills required for nurses and health visitors to practice as supervisors and supervisees in their clinical areas. This report forms the final stage of the evaluation of the programme. The evaluation process is guided by the work of Patton (1986, 1990) and used utilisation-focused evaluation as a flexible framework on which to complete the evaluation. A qualitative methodology was used, data were collected using focused interviews with supervisors and supervisees who had participated on the programme. The findings are presented and discussed in the context of the literature on clinical supervision. The recommendations made to the Trust are also presented. © 1999 Journal of Vocational Education and Training. All right reserved.