Clinical Supervision and Positive Practice Environments: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Clinical supervision (CS) aims to support healthcare providers in professional activities and patient care, positively impacting performance and quality.
• CS is also recognized for its benefits to healthcare professionals' mental health, including job satisfaction and stress reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map and synthesize existing evidence on the association between clinical supervision and positive practice environments within healthcare teams.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, searching major databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science) in July 2024.
• Included studies encompassed primary research, reviews, and gray literature addressing CS in relation to healthcare team practice environments, well-being, or work conditions.
• Thematic and content analysis were employed for data synthesis.

Main Results:

• The review included 37 studies, identifying eight key themes: mental health promotion, organizational culture, supervisor qualities, performance, professional development, leadership/management, job satisfaction, and communication.
• Findings indicate CS is consistently linked to enhanced professional competencies, workplace well-being, psychological safety, job satisfaction, and improved communication.

Conclusions:

• Clinical supervision is a critical factor in fostering positive practice environments within healthcare.
• Evidence supports CS's role in improving professional performance, enhancing team well-being, and strengthening communication.
• Further research can explore specific CS strategies to optimize these outcomes.