An evaluation of a local clinical supervision scheme for practice nurses

This paper presents the findings of an evaluation of a local clinical super vision scheme for practice nurses in Leicestershire, UK. A baseline and a follow-up postal questionnaire were sent to all practice n urses (including supervisors) and general practice senior partners to find out how far the objectives of the local scheme had been met during the firs t year of implementation. Two focus groups gathered qualitative data about the process of implementation. Twelve months after implementation 12% of practice nurses and over two thir ds of GPs reported that they were unaware of the scheme. Forty-three percen t of practice nurses did not know who their local supervisor was; most repo rted that they would like to have known. Eighteen percent of practice nurses reported uptake of supervision through the local scheme. The benefits of involvement were professional development tailored to individual learning needs and regular opportunities to share w ork-related problems with peers; about a third reported benefits for the pr actice as well. The existing availability of peer support and time needed to undertake clin ical supervision were common reasons given for non-involvement in the schem e. Misconceptions about the purpose of clinical supervision presented furth er obstacles. At follow-up over half of the practice nurses remained undecided about thei r future involvement in the scheme. If the benefits associated with clinica l supervision are to be realized, the obstacles that currently hinder pract ice nurses' involvement need addressing.