Developing a model for effective leadership in healthcare: a concept mapping approach

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Limited understanding of effective healthcare leadership competencies persists despite growing awareness.
• Existing models often lack a comprehensive, stakeholder-validated structure.
• The need for a clear framework to guide leadership development in healthcare is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify stakeholders' mental model of effective healthcare leadership using a concept mapping approach.
• To clarify the underlying structure and relative importance of leadership competencies in healthcare.
• To develop a visual, composite model of healthcare leadership.

Main Methods:

• A literature review, focus groups, and consensus meetings generated 33 leadership competency statements.
• 92 faculty and trainees rank-ordered these statements by perceived importance.
• Hierarchical cluster analysis and qualitative data integration formed the leadership model.

Main Results:

• Top-rated competencies included Personal Integrity, Effective Communication, Professional Ethics, Pursuing Excellence, Relationship Building, and Critical Thinking.
• The developed model is based on Patient Centeredness.
• Core competencies identified are Integrity, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, and Selfless Service.

Conclusions:

• A shared healthcare leadership model was developed using a mixed-methods approach.
• This graphical model can enhance leadership education and patient care.
• The model provides a foundation for future research in healthcare leadership.