Evidence, culture and clinical outcome

Leadership is the most influential factor in shaping organisational culture. Using evidence to inform decisions about clinical care is the norm, but its use in determining the optimal leadership culture, climate and systems is less apparent. In the wake of well publicised clinical and service failings, and in the face of a substantial financial challenge, it would seem sensible for the NHS to put evidence into practice if the lives of staff and standards of care are to be improved as we would wish. The Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management, the King's Fund and the Center for Creative Leadership conducted a comprehensive review of literature published in the last ten years, of the evidence relating healthcare leadership to clinical outcome. The review demonstrated that the quality of healthcare experienced by patients is inextricably linked to the climate, culture and support experienced by staff.