Witnesses in the consultation room - Experiences of peer group supervision.
BACKGROUND
In Denmark group supervision for general practitioners is an established part of continuing professional development. Several different approaches are used, including Balint Groups and Bendix Groups. The aim of this paper is to describe the benefits and challenges of a peer group supervision model with the role of supervisor taken by group members in turn. The setting was a group of general practitioners using a patient-centred consultation model and video-recordings of consultations.


METHODS
As part of a larger study the first author studied this long-established group by observing three group sessions over a period of six months. She conducted two individual, semi-structured interviews with each general practitioner who presented consultations at the observed sessions, and held a group interview with the entire group at the end of the observation period. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation seemed to improve communication skills and the ability to take a more patient-centred approach. It increased job satisfaction and prevented burnout. A non-judgemental environment, respect and acknowledgement of all participants were important for developing confidence and for supporting personal and professional development.
a The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Centre for Health and Community , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
Helena Galina
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3398-5873
HG
Nielsen
a The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Centre for Health and Community , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
Annette Sofie
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5434-0997
AS
Davidsen
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003718:Denmark; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education*; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010379:Peer Group; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014741:Video Recording
General practitioner; continuing professional development; peer group supervision; reflecting team