Clinical Supervision in the Prevention of Bullying in Nursing: a Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: When bullying, described in several contexts, occurs in the healthcare setting, it constitutes a threat to the health of professionals and to the safeness of care. Among the predisposing factors is inadequate supervision, which may expose professionals to greater risk. We aimed to identify the importance of clinical supervision in preventing bullying among nurses.

Methodology: A scoping review was carried out following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Four independent reviewers analyzed the relevance of the articles and extracted and synthesized the data. From the selection of studies, a corpus of analysis of 12 articles was constituted.

Results: Bullying practices may influence the attitude of nurses in integration or training processes. Throughout nurses' training and/or integration, many factors influence their professional goals or professional identity, and negative experiences, such as bullying and harassment, lead to doubts and disillusionment. Clinical supervision works in the prevention of bullying practices, since the role of the supervisor is based, among other functions, on assistance and support.

Discussion/Conclusion: Efficient supervisory processes allow meeting the needs and expectations of nurses, enabling them to meet the demands of practice. It is essential to reflect on factors that determine the effectiveness of clinical supervision, as a process involving support, emotional support, and fostering, which is expected to promote gains in the psychological processes of the participants, and to provide them with tools to solve bullying processes, by developing consistent supervision models, promoting a facilitating integration of nurses.