Ms Jodie May1, Mr Nathan Fox1
1SA Health Rural Support Service, Adelaide, Australia
Abstract:
Background:
The Regional Local Health Network (LHN) Allied Health Professional Supervision Framework and supporting resources was released in 2024 to support high-quality and effective professional supervision for SA Health regional AHPs. Evaluation of the Framework implementation process was undertaken to understand initial uptake, identify implementation strengths and gaps, and inform strategies to improve embedding of professional supervision. Current supervision effectiveness was also measured.
Methods:
An online survey was administered to regional LHN AHPs using questions based on the Implementation Outcomes Framework (IOF), alongside the MCSS-26 instrument to measure current supervision effectiveness. Survey design and administration was undertaken in consultation with the SA Health Professor of Allied Health, and quantitative/qualitative data analysed by a University of South Australia research student
Results:
Results were reported against the IOF domains of acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, implementation cost, penetration and sustainability.
Implementation rated highly against acceptability and appropriateness. Fidelity data also indicated the Framework is being adhered to as intended by the vast majority of AHPs. High uptake of the Framework was seen, particularly through elective supervision element utilisation. Time costs varied widely, consistent with the variation expected across AHP experience levels and supervisor status. Greatest areas for improvement existed in adoption, feasibility and sustainability domains.
The MCSS-26 total mean score (82.7) exceeded the validated threshold (>73), indicating current supervision was effective.
Discussion:
Strategies to strengthen professional supervision for regional AHPs have been mapped with a focus on adoption, feasibility and sustainability domains, for action at a central and LHN level.