Interactive clinical supervision training added to self-education leads to small improvements in the effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists: a randomised trial

Abstract

QuestionDoes adding an interactive clinical supervision training program to self-education improve the effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists, reduce burnout, decrease intention to leave and increase participation in clinical supervision? DesignRandomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. ParticipantsPhysiotherapists (n = 58) working at a publicly funded health service. InterventionParticipants in both groups received a self-education clinical supervision training package. In addition, participants in the experimental group received interactive clinical supervision training consisting of three 90-minute workshops. Outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was effectiveness of clinical supervision 4 months after training measured using the Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Secondary outcomes were the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Intention to Leave Scale, and participation in supervision. Focus groups were also used to gauge impressions of the intervention. ResultsThe addition of interactive clinical supervision training slightly improved effectiveness of clinical supervision, with a between-group mean difference of 6.3 units (95% CI 0.3 to 12.3) on the MCSS-26. The estimate of the effect on the proportion of physiotherapists reporting effective clinical supervision (ie, MSCC-26 score ≥ 73) was unclear (OR 1.97, 95% CI 0.50 to 7.81). Physiotherapists in the experimental group reported slightly lower levels of depersonalisation (MD –3.0 units, 95% CI –4.6 to –1.3). There were negligible or uncertain effects on the other burnout domains, intention to leave and participation in clinical supervision. Qualitatively, participants reported that the workshops made them realise that supervisees could take greater ownership of where supervision focused. ConclusionAdding interactive clinical supervision training to self-education leads to small improvements in the effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists. Registrationosf.io/yz3kx.