Exploring UK sonographers’ views on the use of professional supervision in clinical practice – Stage one findings of a mixed method study

Introduction
Professional Supervision has been described across multiple professional groups, however to date, minimal research has been conducted exploring the use of professional supervision within the United Kingdom (UK) sonographer workforce.

Methods
An online self-administered survey was conducted to explore UK sonographers views on the use of professional supervision in practice. The survey was open to sonographers, consultant or clinical specialist sonographers, ultrasound managers and professional body officers. Multiple choice questions were utilised to obtain quantitative data on the provision of support mechanisms, with free text questions allowing qualitative data to be elicited further to explore thoughts
of participants.

Results
A total of 112 participants completed the survey in full and response rates varied across the subgroups. Varying support mechanisms were in place for sonographers. However only 55.4 % of sonographers felt supported in the clinical workplace. Thematic analysis of qualitative data highlighted that workload pressures, staffing and retention of sonographers, were key concerns that professional supervision could improve. It was highlighted that time to undertake professional supervision could be challenging, however if training for professional supervision was in place then this could provide improved quality of care and staff support.

Conclusion
Participants highlighted the challenges faced by UK sonographers and the positive impact that professional supervision could have on retention and staff support. There are limited support mechanisms in place for UK sonographers and this is impacting on how participants felt they were being supported in the workplace. Stage 2 of this research project will explore sonographers’ views in more detail.

Implications for practice
The approach to support mechanisms for sonographers should be considered to support improvement of professional wellbeing and retention of the sonographic workforce.