Communication--a core concept in client supervision by public health nurses.

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore public health nurses' reflections on client supervision.

BACKGROUND

Reflection on actions represents a possible basis for constructing and refining assumptions on current theories used in practice thus making knowledge development possible.

METHODS

Transcript-based qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the findings from individual interviews with 13 female public health nurses.

FINDINGS

Communication is a core concept of client supervision by public health nurses and includes the following themes: (1) building a trusting relationship, (2) looking beyond the current situation, (3) creating a partnership and equality and (4) considering the challenge involved in trying to act in the clients' best interests.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that public health nurses' reflection and reflecting related to their provision of client supervision revealed one possible assumption regarding their theories-in-use; communication is a core concept in client supervision. Communication is viewed from a hermeneutic perspective--as the meaning of the interaction between the public health nurses and the client in the supervision is reflected upon and interpreted.