Student leadership in medical school and its implications for health care and policy-making

Approximately 5% of hospital chief executive officers are physicians, and that number is growing. Leadership is a vital skill for future physicians.

We conducted a narrative review of the literature on student leadership in medical school and its implications for health care and policy-making.

Qualities a good leader should possess include accountability, empathy, positivity, teamwork, and organization. Leadership skills need to be taught to students in their formative pre-clinical years so they can build upon this foundation during their clinical and residency years. Leadership is a multifaceted quality because unlike other lessons, it cannot be measured on a scale or under the microscope; it is largely developed through practice. Furthermore, among physicians, psychiatrists are especially well-trained to serve in active leadership roles because psychiatry training emphasizes interpersonal dynamics and emotional intelligence, qualities that are vital to the skill set of an effective leader.

Medical leadership is essential because physicians relate best to other physicians, and those adept in administrative skills can help bridge the gap between administration and clinicians. There is a need for teaching an evidence-based leadership curriculum and training techniques that will fill a recognized educational void in medical student education (as well as for residents and junior faculty).