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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 49(1)

Factors influencing participation in clinical supervision: a qualitative study reflecting physiotherapist and manager perspectives

Sarah Osiurak A , Nicholas F. Taylor B C , Katherine Lawler B C , Kimberley Williams A , Timothy Albiston A and David A. Snowdon https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2041-3120 C D *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Physiotherapy Department, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Vic, Australia.

B Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Vic, Australia.

C School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic, Australia.

D Academic Unit, Peninsula Health, Frankston, Vic, Australia.

* Correspondence to: d.snowdon@latrobe.edu.au

Australian Health Review 49, AH24293 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24293
Submitted: 22 October 2024  Accepted: 20 December 2024  Published: 28 January 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to explore physiotherapist and manager perceptions of factors that influence physiotherapist participation in clinical supervision.

Methods

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with physiotherapists (n = 15) and managers (n = 10) from a publicly funded health network. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis of transcripts was completed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes explained the factors perceived by participants to influence participation in clinical supervision: the value of clinical supervision; operationalisation of the organisational clinical supervision framework; and the clinical supervision culture. Identified factors influenced participation by either facilitating or discouraging access to supervision and prioritisation of supervision relative to competing professional demands.

Conclusions

Physiotherapist participation in clinical supervision is crucial for their professional development and to deliver high-quality care. Participation might be enhanced by initiatives that address factors identified in this study. These may include introducing processes that ensure supervisees and supervisors are accountable for their participation in supervision; providing alternative supervisory arrangements during leave, vacancies, or redeployment; allocating on-site supervisors to accommodate preferred supervision formats; and promoting a safe learning environment where physiotherapists can address knowledge or skill gaps without fear of judgement.

Keywords: allied health, clinical governance, clinical supervision, participation, physiotherapy, professional support, professional well-being, staff development.

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