Clinical supervision in podiatry in Australia and New Zealand: supervisor challenges in this role

Abstract

Background Clinical supervisors play an integral role in preparing podiatry graduates for clinical practice. Not enough is, however, known about how prepared podiatry clinical supervisors are for this role, in terms of training received and the challenges they face in the role. Informed by previous qualitative research, this study extends our understanding of what it means to be a clinical supervisor in podiatry. Methods An online survey comprising closed and open-ended questions gathered data from 67 registered podiatrists who were also clinical supervisors. Descriptive analysis was undertaken. Chi-square analysis was used to test independence between preparedness for supervision and variables of interest (e.g. training received). Item analysis was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients and Kendall’s Tau to determine whether statistically significant associations existed across the broad challenges previously identified (i.e. supervisor-specific, curriculum and students). Open-ended comments were analysed using content analysis. Results Generally, most supervisors (64%, 43/67) initially felt “ prepared” to supervise, despite the majority (58%, 39/67) not having received any training or educational support. Overwhelming, supervisors (97%, 65/67) considered universities responsible for ensuring quality clinical supervision. They perceived many of the previously identified supervisor-specific challenges (e.g. time-consuming), curriculum issues (e.g. limited hands-on patient contact in private practice placements) and student deficiencies (e.g. poor time management). Positive correlations were found across the three sets of challenges, with the strongest measure of association found between overall student deficiencies and overall curriculum issues (p < .001). Conclusion These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of clinical supervision in podiatry. The study identified inconsistent support for clinical supervisors from partner universities. This study found a clear desire and need for supervisor training. A partnership approach is recommended in which universities work with clinical supervisors to address their overall challenges in terms of supervisor professional development, paying attention to curriculum issues, and improving student preparedness during placements.

Barriers and Facilitators to Clinical Supervision in Ghana: A Scoping Review

“…Although clinicians and junior staff must take responsibility for self-development to meet the requirement for their practice, organizations need to provide opportunities for clinicians to undertake continuous professional development courses that include learning to supervise in the clinical setting. The lack of adequate preparation has been reported elsewhere ( Reynolds & McLean, 2023 ; Rothwell et al, 2021 ) and has been linked to experienced clinicians’ unwillingness to supervise their subordinates. The lack of adequate preparation often translates into increased workload for the supervisor ( Banda et al, 2022 ; Kovacs & Lagarde, 2022 ), and leads to decreased attention to the supervision process.…”

Türkiye’de Ayak Sağlığı Üzerine Eğitimde Podoloji Meslek Grubunun Yeterlik ve Yetkinlik Standartları

“…Podoloji (ayak sağlığı) bilimi, alt ekstremite temelinde ayak ve ayak bileğine özgü sağlıklılığı sürdürmeyi, hastalıklarının ve patolojilerinin tanımlanması, ayakta sorunlar oluşmadan önlemeyi amaçlayan, bu yönde eğitimler yapan, araştırmalar gerçekleştiren ve sağlık hizmetlerini kapsayan ve bununla ilgili sağlık standartlarını artırmayı amaçlayan bilim alanıdır. Ayak sağlığı profesyonellerinin sayısı son yıllarda dünyada ve Türkiye'de ivmelenerek artma eğilimindedir (Reynolds 2023, Menz 2009, ÖSYM 2019. Bu artış, arz-talep dengesindeki doygunluğun artması ile hastaların alanında yetkin bir podoloji profesyoneli ile karşılaşma olasılığını artırmaktadır.…”

“…Bu artış, arz-talep dengesindeki doygunluğun artması ile hastaların alanında yetkin bir podoloji profesyoneli ile karşılaşma olasılığını artırmaktadır. Hayatında en az bir kez ayak patolojisiyle karşılaşmış her birey, bu alanda donanımlı akademisyenler tarafından yetiştirilmiş bir ayak sağlığı profesyonelini de içeren multidisipliner ekiple uygun tanı, tedavi ve takip programına alınmalıdır (Reynolds 2023, Menz 2009, Cosma 2017).…”

Barriers to effective clinical supervision from the perspective of nurses: A descriptive qualitative study

“…Clinical supervision is increasingly recognized as the key to ensuring safe nursing practice. Furthermore, greater attention is now being paid to supervision due to the transformed nature of nursing practice and distancing from duty‐based nursing toward a holistic approach to care and the importance of nurse–patient communications based on empathy, honesty, mutual respect, and participation (Reynolds & McLean, 2023).…”