Mental health nursing and clinical supervision: a critical discussion of key issues around international policy developments

Clinical supervision originated in the eighteenth century; however, the modern clinical supervision literature spans only the past four decades. This article presents a critical, policy-focused analysis of the evidence base that has been used to underpin the international development of latter-day clinical supervision policies and to justify the continuation of its practice in mental health settings. Rigorous examination of the claims revealed several critical issues that require closer scrutiny and reflection. To redress the continuing shortage of convincing evidence, close examination of prevailing assumptions around clinical supervision practice remains necessary, and robust empirical studies are recommended.