Implementing clinical supervision (part 1): a review of the literature

This article represents part one of a three-part series incorporating a review of the literature, a study relating to implementing clinical supervision into a ward-based environment and current practice in regards to the support of clinical supervisors in a community mental health setting. Proctor's (1987) Tripartite model is the supervision model of choice and provides commonality between the studies. Clinical supervision remains a development target for many clinical areas, although for some the integration of supervision with practice has been fostered and supported for many years. The literature shows that implementation varies greatly between regions and disciplines. It seems therefore, that in the wider workforce, clinical supervision still requires commitment and energy to manage the time and continuity for successful practice. This paper reviews the literature on clinical supervision in nursing and allied helping professions in relation to the studies that will follow.