Supervision

One of the major culture shifts in integrated care is how supervision is defined and performed. Healthcare disciplines define supervision differently with commonalities and genuine distinctions. For example, in all disciplines there is supervision provided if required for licensure or practice requirements. However there is added focus on supervision in behavioral health for issues of self –care, clinical assistance, and professional development. As disciplines integrate and work as a single team, supervision models are shifting and having to blend cultures. As the integration of the clinical care continues to be refined, models of supervision will also advance and grow and attention to this aspect of workforce development will be essential to continued successful care. 

If you think you have great resource or a good idea, we want to hear about it. Please email us your ideas and suggestions at integration@thenationalcouncil.org.

The core competencies describe the ideal provider skill set for integrated care. Careful review of these nine competencies can assist supervision models and individual supervisors in focusing on defined provider attributes as they foster the development of this skilled workforce.

• The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association presentation on Training and Supervision of Behavioral Health Interns and Staff: Best Practices in Integrated Care describes typical challenges experienced by trainees and supervisors, explores best practices of clinical supervision in an integrated care setting, outlines methods of supervision to help facilitate the management of the physician, patient, and supervisee relationship and relationship-building skills that are critical for supervisees in integrated care.
• The Alberta Health Services - Interprofessional Mentoring Guide for Supervisors, Staff, and Students was developed for healthcare practitioners and students to support interprofessional practice education for students at the workplace setting. It is vital that healthcare training integrate intentional education strategies to promote collaborative practice between providers and students from different disciplines.
• The study, Integrated care requires integrated supervision, reviews how the implementation of integrated care is facing an interesting challenge in the Netherlands. The Dutch Health Care Inspectorate may help health care providers implement more fully integrated care by using effective supervision methods such as advice and encouragement. 
• View  resources on shadowing, shared team training, and additional on-site training components. These resources can be used to update and expand continuing education programs, promote communication between providers, and enhance team collaboration.