The Lived Experience of Podiatrists with (Clinical) Supervision
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Lived Experience of Podiatrists with Supervision (Clinical Supervision). From a supervisee and supervisor perspective.
IRAS ID
303656
Contact name
Joseph McIntyre
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Margaret University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
In the healthcare setting, supervision (also known as clinical supervision) has been embedded in some settings, and by some professions, more than others. For example, in the Australian health care setting, supervision is well embedded and a considerable amount of research has been undertaken to evaluate supervision in this setting. In addition, therapy based professionals i.e. occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers, appear to have embraced supervision practices; more so than other health care professionals. To the best of the researcher's knowledge, there is research exploring supervision specific to many of the allied health professions (AHPs) (both in the UK and Australian setting), but none specific to the profession of podiatry. Moreover, in the Scottish healthcare setting (where the researcher is based) supervision is a fairly new phenomenon for AHPs, with supervision guidelines for AHP's only being introduced in 2018. Finally, it is recognized that the role and scope of the AHP professions (including podiatry) is continually evolving and becoming more complex. Studies suggest that supervision can support staff with this continuing evolution of their role by supporting them emotionally, and by supporting them to develop the knowledge and skills to succeed within their role. However, research also shows supervision outcomes are better if the supervision model/approach is evaluated through audit and research.
Given the lack of research pertaining to supervision for the profession of podiatry: this study will look to explore the lived experience of podiatrists (within one NHS health board in Scotland) who are participating in a new model of supervision. Podiatrists within the team who are engaging with the supervision process (i.e. have completed at least 4 supervision sessions) will be eligible to take part in this study. The outcomes from this research could then inform current and future supervision practices for the profession.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1293
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion