Health care providers' views on supervisory visits in family health centers and units in alexandria, egypt.
BACKGROUND
Clinical supervision is considered one of the vital support systems for effective high-quality health services. The quality of the relationship between supervisor and provider is the single most important factor for effective supervision.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to identify the health care providers' views in family health centers (FHC) and units (FHU) regarding the supervisory visits in terms of supervisor roles.


METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 20% of FHC and FHU of four randomly selected districts (out of seven administrative districts) affiliated to MOH in Alexandria governorate, Egypt. The study population included all family physicians, pharmacists, and dentists, who were present in the study settings at the time of the study (40 physicians, 23 dentists and 19 pharmacists). A self-administered questionnaire was used and included 11 categories of key supervision practices to be assessed.


RESULTS
High rating had the highest percentage for giving feedback to supervisees and facility (57.3%), seeking client input (56.1%), discussing data (53.7%), making suggestions (47.6%), promoting participation of supervisees (46.3%), discussing previous visit (43.9%) and roles of developing rapport with supervisees (36.6%). The highest percentage of moderate rating was accounted for the role of problem identification with supervisees (50.0%). Low rating had the highest percentage for the roles of giving education or on-the-job training (40.2%), problem solving with supervisees (43.9%), and discussing the next visit (44.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
All newly appointed clinic supervisors should have access to a formal induction program which introduces them to particular aspects of management, leadership and communication skills as well as technical aspects of their job. Training sessions for both supervisors and providers on problem solving, problem identification, and team building are also required.
Health Administration and Behavioral Sciences Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt. azaghloul@sharjah.ac.ae.
Nagwa Y
NY
Abou El Enein
Soha Ae
SA
Mohammed
Ashraf A
AA
Zaghloul