Systematic clinical supervision of home carers working in the care of demented people who are at home: structure, content and effect as experienced by participants

AIM: The aim of this paper is to investigate structure, content and effects of systematic clinical supervision (SCS). BACKGROUND: Home care staff caring for people with dementia were offered SCS because the increasing number of elderly people with dementia increases the demands made on nurses. METHOD: Supervisors (n = 5) and SCS participants (n = 6) were interviewed and an additional 52 SCS participants responded to a questionnaire. FINDINGS: The sessions focused on approaching and interpreting the demented person and significant others, training, practical problem-solving and reflecting and sharing of feelings; attitudes and tasks which can lead to improved knowledge and understanding, increasing interest, and commitment and affirmation. Reorganizations, staff turnover, new supervisors, the varying number of supervisory sessions and whether the staff was involved in the care of demented people also had an impact. CONCLUSION: The main effects of SCS were positive, however, most positive effects were decreased by unstable conditions