Critical companionship part 2: using the framework

Authors:
  • JPJayne Wright Practice Development Programme
    Jayne Wright Practice Development Programme
  • RIRoyal College of Nursing Institute
    Royal College of Nursing Institute
  • RIRadcliffe Infirmary
    Radcliffe Infirmary
  • OIOxfordAngie Titchen Royal College of Nursing Institute
    OxfordAngie Titchen Royal College of Nursing Institute
  • LPLondonKnowledge Centre for Evidence-Based Practice
    LondonKnowledge Centre for Evidence-Based Practice
  • FUFontys University
    Fontys University
  • EIEindhoven
    Eindhoven
  • TNThe Netherlands
    The Netherlands
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Abstract
Part 1 presented the critical companionship framework for facilitating experiential learning, with exemplars of expertise. The development and testing of the framework were outlined. In Part 2, we show the framework being used by new critical companions, without educational backgrounds or previous facilitation of learning experience. The reflective accounts of the critical companions not only show how they analysed their work using the framework, but also reveal that these early experiences helped those they were facilitating to unravel their practice and look critically at how they, and others, practise. Some accounts hint at the outcomes for patients and relatives and show how critical companionship became integrated with leadership roles. We conclude that the framework can be useful in helping new critical companions to acquire effective critical companionship skills. In addition, we tentatively suggest that the development of expertise, as demonstrated in Part 1, is likely to take at least five years, unless the individual is already a skilled facilitator.