Clinical supervision using video-conferencing technology: a reflective account

Abstract

This paper discusses three nursing practitioners' experiences of clinical supervision using video-conferencing (VC) technology. The study, based on supportive action research, involved 40 practising community and hospital nurses from a variety of specialties and took place over an 18-month period. The research was collaborative, educational and applied and focused on the effects of remote clinical supervision on the development of professional practice. Data were obtained through pre- and post-study questionnaires, repertory grids, focus group interviews and written narratives. The three research participants found that clinical supervision, as a mediator of learning, was vital in enabling them to develop their reflective and problem-solving skills. Through critical conversations with either a supervisor or within peer group supervision, the participants increased both their confidence and self-awareness and gained more insight into the practices and needs of other practitioners. They also examined critically patient care issues resulting in attention to existing or the development of new care protocols. They did, however, experience some impediments to the process of clinical supervision, mainly lack of peer and management support and ongoing education. The participants had mixed perceptions with regards to using VC technology for clinical supervision. They experienced technical and accessibility problems and communication problems, suggesting the need for clear protocols for both technical support and applied training.

Distance supervision in nursing: a reality desired by nurses

“…This is not consistent with the results obtained by Marrow et al (2002), who reported that distance supervision strategies are widely used in PHC. We believe that this result may be explained by the fact that the sampled PHC nurses work in institutions located in costal, non-isolated urban areas and have extensive nursing teams.…”

“…Supervision by videoconference, namely using Skype ® software, allows supervisors and supervisees to communicate orally and establish visual contact. Nurses prefer to use this strategy rather than using the telephone or email (Marrow, Hollyoake, Hamer, & Kenrick, 2002). Primary health care nurses use distance supervision strategies more often than hospital nurses because of the difficulties in accessing the clinical supervisor in a timely and appropriate manner as a result of working in separate and often distant facilities (Marrow et al, 2002).…”

Interventions for supporting nurse retention in rural and remote areas: an umbrella review

“…According to this systematic review [26], group clinical supervision would be particularly effective, especially if conducted off-site, held frequently and of substantial length. Also, the rural nurses felt that their clinical supervision experiences were valuable in improving their understanding about their practice, as well as increasing their self-awareness and ability to critically reflect [31]. …”

Most Relevant Clinical Supervision Strategies In Nursing Practice

“…Robson & Whelan (2006) concluded that the use of the telephone is more significant for the supervisee working in more isolated areas or locations distant from the main working place. Marrow et al, (2002) found that the distance supervision strategies are not often adopted in hospital settings but widely implemented in primary health care units and that nurses working in rural areas prefer the ICT enabling visual communication.…”