Exploring supportive supervision of nurses in the health care facilities in Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to explore supportive supervision activities of nurses in health care institutions in the Volta Region of Ghana with emphasis on nurse managers, supporting mechanisms, motivations and problems of supportive supervision practice.

Objective: To explore supportive supervision activities of nurses in health care institutions in the Volta Region of Ghana with emphasis on nurse managers, supporting mechanisms, motivations and problems of supportive supervision practice.

Methods: This design was descriptive survey with qualitative approach. The study was targeted at the management personnel of the health care facilities in the Volta Region. A purposive sampling method was employed to pick three members of the health care facility management teams in each of several health care facilities. The main data were gathered using interview guides for nurse supervisors. Data were collected with integrity and trustworthiness and ethical protections in place such as anonymity, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality.

Results: The role of supportive supervision of the nurse managers included monitoring, supervising, teaching and supporting the nurses to ensure appropriate and quality delivery of health care. Institutional management facilitated this process through providing equipment and facilitating an environment for transfer of knowledge and skills from the supervisors to the young nurses.

Conclusion: The role of supportive supervision is a valuable one in improving nurse performance and quality of health care delivery, benefitting both health personnel and patients. But low implementation rates are due to resource, training, time and administrative issues and a lack of awareness of structured supervisory strategies amongst practitioners.