Characteristics and Philosophies of Family Physician Leaders: A Qualitative Investigation

Supported by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Special Project Fund, the goal of this hypothesis-generating project was to better understand the characteristics and philosophies of family physicians who hold leadership positions within and beyond the specialty.

From July 2023 to May 2024, we conducted ten 1-hour semistructured interviews and one five-participant focus group with family physician leaders. Each transcript was analyzed by two researchers, who compiled codebooks. All researchers then met and reviewed the codebooks for all interviews, developing agreed-upon themes and subthemes through an iterative process.

Our 15 interviewees described their careers in terms of personal influences and professional experiences. Identified career-related influences included personal traits, resources, identity, upbringing, and experiences. Interviewees agreed that family medicine training supported leadership preparation through the development of numerous competencies. Participants identified with multiple defined leadership philosophies, all of which reflected a resonant style.

Our findings suggest that no singular characteristics or philosophies are held by all family physician leaders. Identified themes center on collaborative, team-based leadership, which requires strong communication skills and relatability. Many identified themes converged on personal and professional development, as well as support, as essential to leadership growth.