Innovation
The innovation is called CSO-L (Clinical Supervision On-line).
Using cloud based technology, an online environment has been configured, based on the research finding from my doctoral thesis. This virtual world provides a safe and professional environment for one to one and group clinical supervision. The site allows for multiple groups and networks to be established. Conducting clinical supervision online allows individuals to have the support and development at a time and place that is convenient to them. It can be conducted on mobile technology as well as through a PC. Essentially it addresses the problem of access to clinical supervision that traditional modes cannot.
What prompted innovation?
The initial motivation for embarking on the study and subsequent development of an online environment for clinical supervision arose from my professional background as a community nurse and lecturer; that being unable myself to access clinical supervision due geographic and time/workload constraints.
The second stimuli came out of a series of meetings with NHS managers and nurses who confirmed that the problem of access to clinical supervision was a universal one in their organisation for community nurses (and many others) and that they would welcome any assistance in addressing the issue. Finally, difficulty in accessing clinical supervision is also well documented in the nursing literature. Subsequently my interest in the potential of technology to enhance learning and improve the support available to nurses in practice resulted in the idea of conducting clinical supervision online.
What makes innovation different?
- It addresses the problem of access to clinical supervision.
- The environment is a user centred design. It represents what the user wanted it to look like, feel like and how it needs to function. It is also the only site like this anywhere that I am aware of.
- This innovation has the capability not only to connect nurses and others in an organisation, but potentially to develop many different community of learning both nationally as well as internationally.
Changes in practice
- The pilot site that is running at the moment has allowed community nurses to undertake clinical supervision that may not have been able to before.
- It has connected individuals across an organisation that normally work as lone workers.
- It has improved individuals’ information technology skills.
- It has provided the organisation with accurate data for the first time about clinical supervision activity levels.
- It has provided a resource that can be evidenced based for individuals using the site.
- It has improved morale as individuals in the pilot can tangibly engage with the support that is being provided to help them do their jobs.
- It has provided a cost effective support system for an organisation.
- It facilitates compliance for NHS trusts with certain required aspects of the NHS litigation authority standards – relating to supporting staff with clinical supervision.
Impact
- It has been supported by the Wessex HIEC partnership.
- It has the support of local NHS provider.
- It is currently undergoing a user evaluation – preliminary result due end of July 2013.
- It has attracted further financial investment.
- I have had requests from other NHS providers to expand the pilot or who are keen to know the outcomes.
- It has attracted international interest from New Zealand and Australia, and is subsequently being presented at an international conference in August of 2013.
Dissemination
Presented at:
- A national nurse educator’s conference.
- At an international research conference in Australia.
- At an international health professionals conference in New Zealand. It will also be presented at another international conference for community nurse in New Zealand in August 2013.