Professional supervision for allied health practitioners working in non-metropolitan health care settings: A comprehensive systematic review.

Abstract

Review objective/question The review objectives are to synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences and effects of professional supervision on allied health clinician practice and client outcomes across rural and remote health settings. Specifically, the review questions are: 1. What are the experiences of professional supervision for allied health professionals working in non-metropolitan settings? 2. What are the effects of professional supervision on allied health practitioner practice and clients outcomes in non-metropolitan locations? Types of participants Both qualitative and quantitative components of this review will consider all research studies that include allied health professionals including Audiology, Clinical Measurement Sciences, Dietetics and Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Medical Radiations Professions, Occupational Therapy, Orthoptics, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Psychology, Social Work and Speech Pathology in all health care settings (private practice, community health and hospital settings) working in regional, rural or remote locations. Defining what constitutes regional, rural and remote (non-metropolitan) within a world wide context is difficult, hence for this review regional, rural and remote practice will be defined as working in geographical or professional isolation. This may include any studies undertaken outside metropolitan areas or where participants are identified as working professionally isolated, for example being the only physiotherapist in a specific location. Exclusion criteria - Students who are not employed as an allied health professional (e.g. allied health, medical and nursing students on clinical placements will be excluded) - Medical clinicians - Nursing clinicians - Health workers (other than allied health) - Allied Health Assistants Phenomena of interest/Types of intervention(s) The focus of both qualitative and quantitative components of the review is professional supervision. For this review professional supervision is defined as “a working alliance between two or more professional members in which the aim is to achieve a range of goals that can be broadly categorised into themes relating to (a) organisational/administrative functions, (b) clinical practice, and (c) provision of personal support to the employee”. This review will include all styles of professionals supervision such as face-to-face, telephone, videoconference or online to both individuals and groups. TRUNCATED AT 350 WORDS