TY - JOUR

T1 - Witnesses in the consultation room

T2 - Experiences of peer group supervision

AU - Nielsen, Helena Galina

AU - Davidsen, Annette Sofie

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - BACKGROUND: In Denmark group supervision for general practitioners is an established part of continuing professional development. Several different approaches are used, including Balint Groups and Bendix Groups. The aim of this paper is to describe the benefits and challenges of a peer group supervision model with the role of supervisor taken by group members in turn. The setting was a group of general practitioners using a patient-centred consultation model and video-recordings of consultations.METHODS AND MATERIAL: As part of a larger study the first author studied this long-established group by observing three group sessions over a period of six months. She conducted two individual, semi-structured interviews with each general practitioner who presented consultations at the observed sessions, and held a group interview with the entire group at the end of the observation period. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Participation seemed to improve communication skills and the ability to take a more patient-centred approach. It increased job satisfaction and prevented burnout. A non-judgemental environment, respect and acknowledgement of all participants were important for developing confidence and for supporting personal and professional development.

AB - BACKGROUND: In Denmark group supervision for general practitioners is an established part of continuing professional development. Several different approaches are used, including Balint Groups and Bendix Groups. The aim of this paper is to describe the benefits and challenges of a peer group supervision model with the role of supervisor taken by group members in turn. The setting was a group of general practitioners using a patient-centred consultation model and video-recordings of consultations.METHODS AND MATERIAL: As part of a larger study the first author studied this long-established group by observing three group sessions over a period of six months. She conducted two individual, semi-structured interviews with each general practitioner who presented consultations at the observed sessions, and held a group interview with the entire group at the end of the observation period. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Participation seemed to improve communication skills and the ability to take a more patient-centred approach. It increased job satisfaction and prevented burnout. A non-judgemental environment, respect and acknowledgement of all participants were important for developing confidence and for supporting personal and professional development.

KW - Adult

KW - Clinical Competence

KW - Denmark

KW - Education, Medical, Continuing

KW - Female

KW - General Practice

KW - General Practitioners

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Patient-Centered Care

KW - Peer Group

KW - Quality of Health Care

KW - Referral and Consultation

KW - Video Recording

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1080/14739879.2017.1300510

DO - 10.1080/14739879.2017.1300510

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28317462

VL - 28

SP - 258

EP - 264

JO - Education for Primary Care

JF - Education for Primary Care

SN - 1473-9879

IS - 5

ER -