E-SUPERVISION

AN ONLINE SUPERVISION PACKAGE CONNECTING CLINICAL

SUPERVISORS AND STUDENTS OVER DISTANCE

1.1 Preface

This project has been supported by two funding allocations. The progress and outcomes are achieved through a combination of these two grants.

HWA (2012) awarded to C.Gonsalvez & Frank Deane HWA, HETI and the Illawarra and Shoalhaven ICTN, that builds on the previous HWA

1.2 BackgroundPsychologists: The 3rd largest professional group of health professionals (29,000 members) One in 5 persons suffers a mental health problemIncreased demand for servicesNeed to increase capacity of workforceMajor problem is availability and access to clinical supervision

1.2 Background: Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision -- the most expensive component of psychology trainingMost supervision is delivered one-to-oneEnduring dilemma

Rural and remote Australia have an urgent need for psyc. services and abound in placement opportunitiesSupervisors/experts congregate in urban settings

Supervision by phone reduces effectivenessVideoconferencing: expensive and limited access

1.3 Vision

To build excellence and expertise in clinical supervision in psychology and other health professionsTo provide access to clinical expertise and supervisors for staff and students located anywhere in the country (esp. regional and remote)

1.4 Project objective

To design and test a web-based application to provide E-supervision for psychology staff and students

2. Key componentsMultiple components (6) in a staged

manner. First 3 components are essential1. Application portal and supervisor data base

Rationale: broad discipline with multiple specialisations, severity levels, age ranges

2. Web-based meeting platformSimilar to Skype, but with enhanced reliability and security

2. Key components3. Video annotation tool: An important tool in supervision:

Competent therapist-client interactions – pivotal to effectiveness of psychological therapiesObservation of trainee-client interactions by supervisor is important to shape competencies

4. Billing facility Rationale: Payments for upkeep of IT systemPayment to supervisors if required

2. Key components5. Resource libraries.

Best practice guidelines, tests, tools, and other resources for supervisorsKey resources for students

6. Evaluation ToolsTests, scales and questionnaires to evaluate all aspects of supervision – online.Storage and analyses of these data

3. Project activitiesTime frame: From 2012 on

Researching available technologiesComputer programmingRecruitment of supervisors and students to trial the systemFor each component: Test and feedback => revise => feedback => revise and fine tune IT support and training of users

4.1 Achievements: Portal and supervisor data base

Supervisor profiles: photo, qualifications, registration and supervisor accreditation, domain expertise, availability (time), fees for supervisionStudent profiles: photo, qualifications, requirements, availabilityAbility to have multiple supervisor-student dyadsGo to: http://aine.its.uow.edu.au/E_Supervision/

4.2 Achievements: Meeting platform

Trialled several optionsUse of CISCO’s web-exReliable and secureMeetings Module: Enables booking, revision, and cancellation of meetings

4.3 Achievements:Video-annotation tool

Enables secure upload and viewing of trainee-client videos

Videos encrypted as they are uploadedStored securely on a serverAccess only through password and only to specific supervisorVideos archived and deleted after a month

4.3 Achievements:Video-annotation tool

Supervisor reviews video and inserts comments that are time-tagged Download by supervisee of in-text annotated remarks by supervisor Joint video-review by supervisor-supervisee dyads on the web application, if required

4.4 Achievements:Billing module

Preliminary work done, requires additional testingWhen operational, will provide users Rental to use the web-application

By time: 1 hour + 15-minute segments, through Paypal optionOthers: to be determined

Various billing options for supervisorFree supervisionPayment for supervision (mutual agreement)Through Paypal option

Helps ensure sustainability of application

4.5 Achievements:Others

5. Resource libraries. Key resources for supervisors and studentsInitial work completed; additional work in progress

6. Evaluation ToolsTests, scales and questionnaires to evaluate all aspects of supervision – online.Initial work completed; additional work in progress

4.6 Achievements: SummaryDemonstrated feasibility and functionalityDemonstrated acceptability among supervisors and studentsAll 3 main components are functional, minor aspects are being refined

E-Supervision portal and data baseE-Supervision meeting platform and meeting scheduling Video-annotation tool

Preliminary work on other components, including graphics

5. MeritsScope: Extensive need for clinical supervision in psychology

Students, registrars, professionalsPortable and convenient

From computer in own home, unlike video-conferencing that requires sophisticated studios

Flexible and versatileBridges urban-rural divideProvides multiple supervisors for same traineePeer consultation among supervisors

5. MeritsIncreased capacity

Huge increase in placement opportunities because of the availability of casual/associate supervisors

Cost efficiencySaves travel timeMeetings over E-platform is less expensive

Reduces unemployment/underemployment of skilled workforce

Career breaksWomen constitute 80% of workforce

5. MeritsHuge potential for growth

In PsychologyOther health professions

SustainabilityCost efficient to sustain

6. Way ForwardEssential components: operational

Scalable: need final trial before roll outSecurity: needs testing

Further work through follow up funding or through other initiatives

AcknowledgementsProject leaders

Assoc Prof Craig Gonsalvez, Prof. Frank Deane, Assoc Prof Daniel Saffioti

Partner for ICTN grantAssoc Prof. Vida Bliokas, Principal Psychologist, Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health Network

Project Officer & SupervisorsRussell Blackman, Katie Elcombe

ProgrammersTong Li & Yongshuo Wang

Supervisors and studentsToo many to name