Man's hands and Women sitting at a table

Overview

Though the healthcare ethos is influenced by the philosophy and ethics of the business marketplace, leadership research is seriously lagging in the public sector, which makes the development of evidenced-based leadership frameworks in this sector problematic. The aim of this work is to understand the antecedents and consequences of leadership for doctors working in Ireland. Positive leadership in healthcare has been directly connected through research to patient satisfaction, reduction of adverse events, and mortality rates and as such, leadership in healthcare organisations can be and should be, considered a strategic and valued asset. Doctors fit the strategic leadership criteria both for their fundamental importance in the delivery of healthcare and the fact that they are in key positions in the organisation.

Role of Leadership in Healthcare

Generating agile, responsive patient-centered organisations and prioritizing engaged distributive leadership is urgent for healthcare providers both public and private to balance the tensions of applying a business model whilst not compromising on patient care.  Doctors as primary front-line professionals have a central role to play as leaders to introduce change and set new directions for hospitals.  This research is fundamentally designed to provide evidence to support the development of doctors as leaders in the healthcare sector as a way of improving service to our patients however this knowledge will also have a resulting impact on talent management in this sector.

Doctor in Surgery Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Image of two people standing by writing on the floor.Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Our Research Shapes the Future of Healthcare Management

Unprecedented mobility of the current workforce, an aging workforce, and much-improved life expectancy, along with falling birth rates make doctors ever more valuable. Doctors are the backbone of Irish healthcare organisations and any interruptions in this labour supply chain have serious repercussions. With the number of vacant doctor posts on the rise, the risk in terms of reduced patient safety and negative health outcomes is increased. Leadership is directly connected to employee satisfaction, reduction in employee turnover, and employee engagement and as such provides a research lens through which retention of doctors can be studied.

Collaboration Partners

Non-consultant hospital doctor (NCHD) Department - UL Hospital Group 

Non-consultant hospital doctor (NCHD) Department -University Hospital Galway 

Team Members 

Dr. Nuala Ryan - Kemmy Business School, UL 

Dr. Briga Hynes - Kemmy Business School, UL

Dr. Siobhan Ni Luasa - Kemmy Business School, UL