Consultancy case study: Piloting online group reflective practice for health professionals during the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

This case study describes a consultancy project which included providing advice and piloting an intervention to provide psychological support to UK health professionals during the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, a health charity requested advice from the Health Psychology Exchange (HPX) on implementing reflective practice for health professionals. One health psychology consultant, supported by HPX colleagues, advised the charity to pilot online group reflective practice, negotiated with the client, and contracted to design, deliver, and evaluate the pilot. The pilot was informed by a rapid review of evidence for reflective practice during crises, by relevant clinical practitioner experience, and by supplementary targeted literature searches. In two separate groups, 13 senior health professionals attended three one-hour sessions using the ‘Head and Heart’ model. The pilot was evaluated using an adapted version of the Clinical Supervision Evaluation Scale pre- and post-pilot, and participant and consultant reflections. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. The pilot results support group reflective practice online despite occasional interruptions in internet strength. As a result, the client commissioned training and supervision for facilitators to deliver online group reflective practice at scale. This case study describes the approach to consultancy, and outlines the pilot intervention itself.