Context: My introduction to practice development came about in my work as a Senior Physiotherapist working in a re-enablement unit for older people.

Aims: To outline some of my practice development experience between 2008-2011.

Conclusions: There is a spiral effect with practice development in that it is on-going and continuous in nature. The first circle must begin with and be underpinned by shared values and beliefs. Healthcare is constantly changing yet our beliefs and values should remain fairly constant. Having a shared vision allows us to embrace the changes without feeling threatened. Stepping back and facilitating rather than fixing is a key skill for clinical managers and leaders and can be a catalyst for constant change and evolution.

Implications for practice: When I identified the need for change in team practice and our environment, I more readily become engaged in the process, felt valued and empowered to both challenge and support others. Learning such as through clinical supervision, was essential in order for the team to openly explore their achievements, frustrations and identify new areas for development of themselves and others.

This article by Helen Hunnisett is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 License.