P17 - Group Clinical Supervision - its tops!

Abstract

Clinical supervision is a supportive strategy that has been used successfully in myriad health disciplines, and is commonly used in psychology, social work, other allied health, mental health and palliative care nursing. For midwives, clinical supervision has: fostered feelings of re-energisation and invigoration; enhanced motivation for their jobs; and positively impacted interpersonal skills, situational responses, and careers. An audit of Sydney maternity units show that all organisations offer some degree of Clinical Supervision to midwives, but it is unclear how many actually attend the sessions. The presenter is currently undertaking an NHMRC-funded cluster randomised controlled trial with 12 maternity units in Sydney with Group Clinical Supervision as the intervention. It is hypothesised that midwifery burnout, as well as other health-related parameters will be lowered in relation to attendance at the sessions. As such, the presenters have a wealth of experience in running Group Clinical Supervision sessions. This workshop will demonstrate how Group Clinical Supervision is structured and run. First, background to Clinical Supervision will be outlined about what it aims to achieve for supervisees. The different models of Clinical Supervision that are used in healthcare and the research underpinning the strategy will be discussed. A Group Clinical Supervision session for willing participants will be demonstrated using the role development model. The role development model facilitates a deep reflective process on a work-related topic to unfold. Certain strategies such as using figurines (called ‘concretisation’) to enable a unique view of a situation will be used. Care will be taken to choose a demonstration topic that does not engender strong emotional responses for participants. The workshop has an overall aim to give delegates a chance to be part of a Group Clinical Supervision session and to see, firsthand, the benefits and processes involved.