Leadership development in New Zealand and Australian medical schools: needs analysis

BMJ Leader ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Lyons ◽  
Karina McHardy ◽  
Warwick Bagg ◽  
Tim Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Leadership Development ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Core Competency ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Medical Leadership ◽  
School Curricula

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Leadership Training ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Competency ◽  
Spiral Curriculum ◽  
Medical Leadership

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.

scholarly journals Pain medicine content, teaching and assessment in medical school curricula in Australia and New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elspeth Erica Shipton ◽  
Frank Bate ◽  
Raymond Garrick ◽  
Carole Steketee ◽  
Eric John Visser
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Pain Medicine ◽  
School Curricula

Leadership and management in UK medical school curricula

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1081-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Jefferies ◽  
Ibrahim H.N. Sheriff ◽  
Jacob H. Matthews ◽  
Olivia Jagger ◽  
Sarah Curtis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical School ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership And Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Execution ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Medical Leadership ◽  
School Curricula

Purpose Although medical leadership and management (MLM) is increasingly being recognised as important to improving healthcare outcomes, little is understood about current training of medical students in MLM skills and behaviours in the UK. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used validated structured interviews with expert faculty members from medical schools across the UK to ascertain MLM framework integration, teaching methods employed, evaluation methods and barriers to improvement. Findings Data were collected from 25 of the 33 UK medical schools (76 per cent response rate), with 23/25 reporting that MLM content is included in their curriculum. More medical schools assessed MLM competencies on admission than at any other time of the curriculum. Only 12 schools had evaluated MLM teaching at the time of data collection. The majority of medical schools reported barriers, including overfilled curricula and reluctance of staff to teach. Whilst 88 per cent of schools planned to increase MLM content over the next two years, there was a lack of consensus on proposed teaching content and methods. Research limitations/implications There is widespread inclusion of MLM in UK medical schools’ curricula, despite the existence of barriers. This study identified substantial heterogeneity in MLM teaching and assessment methods which does not meet students’ desired modes of delivery. Examples of national undergraduate MLM teaching exist worldwide, and lessons can be taken from these. Originality/value This is the first national evaluation of MLM in undergraduate medical school curricula in the UK, highlighting continuing challenges with executing MLM content despite numerous frameworks and international examples of successful execution.

scholarly journals Leadership curricula and assessment in Australian and New Zealand medical schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Jacquelyn Ross ◽  
Tarun Sen Gupta ◽  
Peter Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Leadership Competencies ◽  
Leadership Education ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Medical Leadership

Abstract Background The Australian Medical Council, which accredits Australian medical schools, recommends medical leadership graduate outcomes be taught, assessed and accredited. In Australia and New Zealand (Australasia) there is a significant research gap and no national consensus on how to educate, assess, and evaluate leadership skills in medical professional entry degree/programs. This study aims to investigate the current curricula, assessment and evaluation of medical leadership in Australasian medical degrees, with particular focus on the roles and responsibilities of medical leadership teachers, frameworks used and competencies taught, methods of delivery, and barriers to teaching leadership. Methods A self-administered cross-sectional survey was distributed to senior academics and/or heads or Deans of Australasian medical schools. Data for closed questions and ordinal data of each Likert scale response were described via frequency analysis. Content analysis was undertaken on free text responses and coded manually. Results Sixteen of the 22 eligible (73%) medical degrees completed the full survey and 100% of those indicate that leadership is taught in their degree. In most degrees (11, 69%) leadership is taught as a common theme integrated throughout the curricula across several subjects. There is a variety of leadership competencies taught, with strengths being communication (100%), evidence based practice (100%), critical reflective practice (94%), self-management (81%), ethical decision making (81%), critical thinking and decision making (81%). Major gaps in teaching were financial management (20%), strategic planning (31%) and workforce planning (31%). The teaching methods used to deliver medical leadership within the curricula are diverse, with many degrees providing opportunities for leadership teaching for students outside the curricula. Most degrees (10, 59%) assess the leadership education, with one-third (6, 35%) evaluating it. Conclusions Medical leadership competencies are taught in most degrees, but key leadership competencies are not being taught and there appears to be no continuous quality improvement process for leadership education. There is much more we can do as medical educators, academics and leaders to shape professional development of academics to teach medical leadership, and to agree on required leadership skills set for our students so they can proactively shape the future of the health care system.

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