Assessing the value of facilitated reflective practice groups
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Assessing the value of facilitated reflective practice groups

Joanne McVey Consultant clinical psychologist, Psychological medicine, Bootham Park Hospital, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Theresa Jones Trainee clinical psychologist, University of Hull

Clinical supervision offers staff a safe space in which to talk about work and compare their practice with that of people in similar roles. Joanne McVey and Theresa Jones describe the findings of an evaluative study

Clinical supervision is an effective way to provide support to staff. In cancer services, psychological support to patients and their families and carers is especially important. Taking part in clinical supervision groups allows staff to reflect on their practice in a non-judgemental environment. This article discusses feedback from five clinical supervision groups in cancer, renal and neurology services established in a teaching hospital. Interview data were transcribed and a thematic analysis carried out. The data analysis indicates that staff value the safe environment of a clinical supervision group where they can compare practice with those in similar roles, and also discuss stressful and emotional issues. The authors suggest that taking part in such groups can help reduce stress and burnout, and enable staff to improve the skills they need to provide patients with psychological support, which is an important aspect of working in cancer services.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 11, 8, 32-37. doi: 10.7748/cnp2012.10.11.8.32.c9357

Correspondence

joanne.mcvey@york.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Conflict of interest

None declared

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