Supporting conscious competency: Validation of the Generic Supervision Assessment Tool (GSAT)

Abstract

Objectives Clinical supervision is essential for ensuring effective service delivery. International imperatives to demonstrate professional competence has increased attention on the role of supervision in enhancing client outcomes. Although supervisor competency tools are recognised as important components in effective supervision, there remains a shortage of tools that are evidenced‐based, applicable across workforces and freely accessible. Design An expert multidisciplinary group developed the Generic Supervision Assessment Tool (GSAT) to assess supervisor competencies across a range of professions. Initially the GSAT consisted of 32 items responded to by either a supervisor (GSAT‐SR) or supervisee (GSAT‐SE). The current study, using surveys, employed a cross‐sectional design to test the reliability and construct validity of the GSAT. Methods The study consisted of two phases and included 12 professional groups across Australasia. In 2018, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was undertaken with survey data from 479 supervisors and 447 supervisees. In 2019 survey data from 182 supervisors and 186 supervisees were used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results were used to refine and validate the GSAT. Results The final GSAT‐SR has four factors with 26 competency items. The final GSAT‐SE has two factors with 21 competency items. The EFA and CFA confirmed that the GSAT‐SR and the GSAT‐SE are psychometrically valid tools that supervisors and supervisees can utilise to assess competencies. Conclusion As a non‐discipline specific supervision tool, the GSAT is a validated, freely available tool for benchmarking the competencies of clinical supervisors across professions, potentially optimising supervisory evaluation processes and strengthening supervision effectiveness. Practitioner points Supervisor competency tools are recognised as important components of safe and effective supervision provision yet there is a dearth of valid, reliable and effective measures. The Generic Supervision Assessment Tool (GSAT‐SR and GSAT‐SE) are unique psychometrically valid, and reliable measures of supervisor competence. The GSAT‐SR and the GSAT‐SE can enhance translation of evidence‐based supervision competency skills into regular practice. Validated with a broad cross section of professionals in diverse practice settings the GSAT provides a comprehensive conceptualization of supervisor competence.