Incorporating medical leadership into undergraduate curricula: a proposal for a spiral curriculum

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross I. Lamont ◽  
Ann L.N. Chapman

Purpose There is increasing recognition of the importance of incorporating medical leadership training into undergraduate medical curricula and this is now advocated by the General Medical Council (GMC) and supported through the development of the Undergraduate Medical Leadership Competency Framework (MLCF). However to date, few medical schools have done so in a systematic way and training/experience in medical leadership at undergraduate level is sporadic and often based on local enthusiasm. The purpose of this paper is to outline a theoretical curriculum to stimulate and support medical leadership development at undergraduate level. Design/methodology/approach This study describes a theoretical framework for incorporation of medical leadership training into undergraduate curricula using a spiral curriculum approach, linked to competences outlined in the Undergraduate Medical Leadership Competency Framework. The curriculum includes core training in medical leadership for all students within each year group with additional tiers of learning for students with a particular interest. Findings This curriculum includes theoretical and practical learning opportunities and it is designed to be deliverable within the existing teaching and National Health Service (NHS) structures. The engagement with local NHS organisations offers opportunities to broaden the university teaching faculty and also to streamline medical leadership development across undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Originality/value This theoretical curriculum is generic and therefore adaptable to a variety of undergraduate medical courses. The combination of theoretical and practical learning opportunities within a leadership spiral curriculum is a novel and systematic approach to undergraduate medical leadership development.

BMJ Leader ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Lyons ◽  
Karina McHardy ◽  
Warwick Bagg ◽  
Tim Wilkinson

BackgroundLeadership is a core competency of doctors. However, specific learning outcomes for leadership are often not well defined in medical school curricula. This article uses New Zealand (NZ) and Australian medical school curricula as a case example for conducting a needs analysis of leadership learning outcomes.AimsTo identify which elements of medical leadership development are already met by Australian Medical Council (AMC) Outcomes for Graduates, which elements are missing, and which missing elements might reasonably be included in prequalification curricula in NZ and Australia.MethodsThe Medical Leadership Competency Framework (MLCF) was selected as the reference framework for a general needs analysis of leadership development in the AMC curriculum.To identify curriculum gaps, we first assessed the achievability of MLCF Domains at an undergraduate level. We then considered whether the AMC Outcomes for Graduates would satisfy each MLCF Domain. Where MLCF Domains were judged unachievable at the undergraduate level, we considered whether foundations were sufficiently laid for future development.ResultsFive of eight (63%) undergraduate MLCF Domains and 7 of 12 (58%) postgraduate domains were found to be already satisfied by the AMC Outcomes for Graduates.Some key elements of leadership as described in the MLCF are not yet encapsulated in the AMC Outcomes for Graduates. Two particularly notable absences are audit and quality improvement.ConclusionsLeadership is multidimensional. Some dimensions may be more appropriately learnt after medical school. There are, however, significant gaps in current curricula in Australia and NZ as defined by the AMC. These could be met more effectively using the MLCF.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida’a K. AbuJbara ◽  
Jody A. Worley

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the importance of soft skills for leadership and offers recommendations for soft skill development training for the next generation of leaders. Design/methodology/approach An integrated review of current research literature was conducted on management, leadership and soft skills to develop recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership development training protocol. Findings A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for soft skills development or measurement. Each soft skill is defined differently and should be assessed based on different behavioral actions. Progress in this area of measurement development will make a great impact on the use of soft skills. The development of assessment tools for the different soft skills across professional disciplines is assumed to enhance other aspects of transformational leadership such as coaching and mentoring. Research limitations/implications Current strategies for the assessment and measurement of soft skills present an obstacle for including these skills in current leadership training models. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the development of soft skills for the next generation of leaders and offers recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership training programs. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how soft skills can be measured and assessed. This is important given that specific skills vary across professional disciplines and organizational contexts.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey McClellan

Purpose The application of leadership theory to training and development in international leadership contexts is burdened by the idealistic, western-centric, prescriptive nature of many leadership theories. Consequently, theories are needed that are culturally neutral, descriptive and practically applicable to the culturally diverse contexts in which leadership interaction takes place. To this end, the cognitive process model of (Denis et al., 2012) leadership was developed to facilitate leadership development study in a variety of cultural contexts. The model is based on how the human brain functions at its most basic level in leadership situations across cultures and outlines basic principles of leadership associated with these functions. These principles include awareness, decision-making, attention, relationship building, communication and action. This study aims to discuss this model and how it can be used as a framework for doing leadership training and development study in international settings. Design/methodology/approach This paper is conceptual in nature and uses psychological studies on brain function as a foundation for developing a process model of leadership. Findings In contrast the cognitive process model of leadership provides a foundation for understanding what is truly universal when it comes to leadership activities by examining what happens in the brain in any given leadership moment. It then provides a framework for promoting the development of leadership competencies that are essential to practicing the principles and competencies and applying them as one takes action in specific leadership moments at the self, interpersonal, group and team, organizational and social and political community levels. Research limitations/implications The paper has implications for the content, structure and process of leadership development study in relation to training and coaching. Practical implications This model makes it possible to identify how to provide training and education in relation to leadership competencies by identifying which aspects of the competencies are universal and which are situational or culture dependent. Originality/value This study is an original paper exploring the application of this model in the context of global leadership training and development.


BMJ Leader ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-200
Author(s):  
Agnes Bäker ◽  
Mickael Bech ◽  
Jaason Geerts ◽  
Susanne Maigaard Axelsen ◽  
Henrik Ullum ◽  
...  

PurposeCalls for doctors to enter management are louder as the benefits of medical leadership become clearer. However, supply is not meeting demand. This study asks doctors (physicians): what might encourage you to go into leadership, and what are the disincentives? The same was asked about leadership training. First, the paper tries to understand doctors’ motivation to lead, specifically, to explore the job characteristics that act as incentives and disincentives. Second, the study points to organisational obstacles that further shrink the medical leadership pipeline.MethodDoctors were surveyed through the Organization of Danish Medical Societies. Our key variables included: (1) the incentives and disincentives for doctors of going into leadership and management and (2) the motivation to participate in leadership training. Our sample of 3534 doctors (17% response) is representative of the population of doctors in Denmark.FindingsThe main reason why doctors are motivated towards leadership is to make a difference. They are put off by fears of extra administration, longer hours, burnout, lack of resources and by organisational cultures resistant to change. However, doctors are aware of their need for leadership development prior to entering management.Practical implicationsTo improve succession planning, health systems should adapt to reflect the incentives of their potential medical leaders. Leadership training is also essential. These changes are especially important now; medical leaders are linked positively to organisational and patient outcomes and have been central in responding to COVID-19, stress and burnout among clinical staff continues to rise, and health systems face recruitment and retention challenges.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-111
Author(s):  
Danielle Cobb ◽  
Timothy W. Martin ◽  
Terrie Vasilopoulos ◽  
Erik W. Black ◽  
Chris R. Giordano

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss a unique leadership curriculum developed at the University of Florida and its impact on the leadership skills and values of the anesthesiology residents since its conception. The authors instituted a voluntary anesthesiology residency leadership development program at their institution to fill a perceived gap in leadership training. Mounting evidence reveals that strong clinical leadership skills improve outcomes for patients and health-care institutions. Additionally, this growing body of literature indicates that optimal outcomes result from effective team behaviors and skills, which are directed through the requisite clinical leadership. Unfortunately, adding leadership training into the existing medical education curriculum is a formidable challenge regardless of the level of learner. Design/methodology/approach To evaluate learners, the authors used the Aspiring leaders in Healthcare-Empowering individuals, Achieving excellence, Developing talents instrument, which is a validated and reliable assessment of leadership competency in health-care professionals. In 2017, the authors surveyed the past five graduating classes from the department (classes of 2012-2016), using the two graduating classes before the program’s implementation as a historical control group. Findings The survey was sent to 96 people, of whom 70 responded (73 per cent). Those participants who usually or always participated in the program responded with higher leadership-readiness skills scores than those who occasionally, rarely or never participated in the program. Notably, those who had participated in another leadership development course at any time had higher skills scores than those who had never participated. Originality/value The study’s data provide evidence that residents who either, often or always participated in the leadership development program perceived themselves to be better equipped to become effective health-care leaders as opposed to residents who never, rarely or occasionally participated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prosenjit Giri ◽  
Jill Aylott ◽  
Karen Kilner

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore which factors motivate doctors to engage in leadership roles and to frame an inquiry of self-assessment within Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to identify the extent to which a group of occupational health physicians (OHPs) was able to self-determine their leadership needs, using a National Health Service (NHS) England competency approach promoted by the NHS England Leadership Academy as a self-assessment leadership diagnostic. Medical leadership is seen as crucial to the transformation of health-care services, yet leadership programmes are often designed with a top-down and centrally commissioned “one-size-fits-all” approach. In the UK, the Smith Review (2015) concluded that more decentralised and locally designed leadership development programmes were needed to meet the health-care challenges of the future. However, there is an absence of empirical research to inform the design of effective strategies that will engage and motivate doctors to take up leadership roles, while at the same time, health-care organisations continue to develop formal leadership roles as a way to secure medical leadership engagement. The problem is further compounded by a lack of validated leadership qualities assessment instruments which support researching this problem. Design/Methodology/approach The analysis draws on a sample of about 25 per cent of the total population size of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (n = 1,000). The questionnaire used was the Leadership Qualities Framework tool as a form of online self-assessment (NHS Leadership Academy, 2012). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and simple inferential methods. Findings OHPs are open about reporting their leadership strengths and leadership development needs and recognise leadership learning as an ongoing development need regardless of their level of personal competence. This study found that the single most important factor to affect a doctor’s confidence in leadership is their experience in a management role. In multivariate regression, management experience accounted for the usefulness of leadership training, suggesting that doctors learn best through applied “leadership learning” as opposed to theory-driven programmes. Drawing on SDT (Deci and Ryan, 1985; 2000; Ryan and Deci, 2000), this article provides a theoretical framework that helps to understand those doctors who are likely to engage in leadership and management activities in the organisation. More choice and self-determination of medical leadership programmes are likely to result in more relevant leadership learning that builds on doctors’ previous experience in this area. Research limitations/implications While this study benefitted from a large sample size, it was limited to the use of purely quantitative methods. Future studies would benefit from the application of a mixed methodology to combine quantitative data with one-to-one interviews or a focus group. Practical implications This study suggests that doctors are able to determine their own learning needs reliably and that they are more likely to increase their confidence in leadership and management if they are exposed to leadership and management experience. Originality/value This is the first large-scale study of this kind with a large sample within a single medical specialty. The study is considered as insider research, as the first author is an OHP with knowledge of how to engage OHPs in this work.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-124
Author(s):  
Michael T. Solotke ◽  
Andrea Barbieri ◽  
Darin Latimore ◽  
John Encandela

Purpose Leadership training refers to the process of helping individuals develop skills to successfully perform in leadership positions. Existing leadership programs have several drawbacks, including the paucity of leadership programs designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals in health care. The authors addressed this gap by creating and hosting Q-Forward (formerly Q-Med), the first conference focused specifically on leadership development for LGBTQ+ health trainees. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors explain how a conference focused on leadership development for LGBTQ+ health trainees can have benefits for trainees, patients and the health-care system. The authors also report the conference proceedings, including planning, participants, guiding principles and programming. Originality/value This conference was the first conference for LGBTQ+ health trainees focused specifically on leadership training. The authors believe that the conference was unique, and that such training represents an essential step toward long-term improvements in the health of LGBTQ+ people and other populations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stavros Bekas

Purpose – Medical leadership has attracted significant attention over the recent years as one of the factors that could potentially improve quality in healthcare. In response, various stakeholders in UK medical education have been looking into the most efficient ways of developing leadership among trainee doctors and invested in various courses and programmes. This paper aims to briefly set the theoretical basis for evaluating leadership development in postgraduate medical education. Design/methodology/approach – Critical review of available theoretical and empirical literature and review of the content of a number of leadership and management development programmes available to postgraduate trainee doctors in the UK. Findings – This review suggests that programme evaluation can be approached through four different “frames”: their pedagogical content, the conceptualisation and achievement of leadership, the contribution in quality improvement and the consideration of practical aspects that increase engagement and participation. On this basis empirical methodologies of evaluation can be developed. Originality/value – The evaluation of leadership initiatives for medical trainees is an important task that has not been adequately addressed in the literature. This paper provides a theoretical approach to developing more robust methodologies of evaluation.


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