Authors
Marisa de Paula, Diogo Folgado, Ana João, Ana Madeira
Published in
Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy). Volume 16. Issue 6. Jun 08, 2026. Epub Jun 08, 2026.
Abstract
Background: The perioperative context is characterized by high complexity and a significant risk of adverse events, requiring highly developed technical and non-technical competencies. Structured clinical supervision has been identified as a relevant strategy for professional development and for promoting the quality and safety of care, although the specific evidence in this context remains dispersed. Objective: To analyze the available scientific evidence on the impact of structured clinical supervision on nurses' professional development and on the quality and safety of care delivered in the perioperative setting. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 recommendations. The search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, SciELO, BVS, and CONSENSUS databases and included studies published between January 2020 and October 2025 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish with full-text availability. The research question was structured according to the PICO strategy. Study selection was carried out in multiple stages (duplicate removal, screening by title and abstract, and full-text review), performed by two independent reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists. Data synthesis was conducted through thematic narrative analysis, given the methodological heterogeneity of the included studies. Results: Twelve studies were included, predominantly qualitative and observational in nature, as well as psychometric validation studies, one Delphi study, and one quasi-experimental study. The findings show consistent convergence regarding the association between structured clinical supervision and the development of technical and non-technical competencies, namely communication, leadership, teamwork, situational awareness, and decision-making. The use of structured assessment instruments demonstrated good psychometric reliability and improved the quality of supervisory feedback. Organizational factors, such as protected time, specific training for supervisors, and role clarification, were identified as determinants of the effectiveness of the supervisory process. However, the predominance of non-experimental designs and the scarcity of objective clinical outcomes limit direct causal inference between structured supervision and measurable reduction in adverse events. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that structured clinical supervision is a relevant component for the professional development of perioperative nurses and for strengthening the safety culture in the operating room. Despite the high conceptual consistency of the findings, the overall strength of evidence is moderate, and experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to consolidate the impact of supervision on objective clinical indicators of care quality and safety.
PMID:
42347005
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 25 Jun 2026.
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