The educational supervisor role has come to prominence following the implementation of ‘Modernising Medical Careers’, which introduced shorter, more focused, competency-based postgraduate training programmes. The importance of the role of educational supervisor is emphasized in the GMC publication The New Doctor, produced in conjunction with the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) and the Gold Guide to postgraduate specialty training in the UK. The role is now well defined and no longer considered a mere ‘add on’ for busy consultants and general practitioners. It is a role that has to be planned, protected and valued. Increasingly, educational supervisors will be professionally selected, trained and paid for their work. They will also be held to account for standards of practice as defined by the PMETB, as education and training become ever more quality assured.

Role definitions

Clinical supervision relates to day-to-day oversight of trainees in the workplace and is an activity that involves all clinicians that come into contact with trainees. Clinical supervision involves being available, looking over the shoulder of the trainee, teaching on-the-job with developmental conversations, regular feedback and the provision of a rapid response to issues as they arise. All trainees should have access to supervision at all times with the degree of supervision tailored to their competence, confidence and experience. Within a given training placement, and for each trainee, such arrangements may be the responsibility of a nominated clinical supervisor.