Leadership in Health Care Management - Essay Example

Table of Contents Introduction 2 Leadership in Health Care Organization 2 Healthcare & Leadership: A Changing Context 4 Leadership Styles in Health Care Centers 5 Manner in which Clinical Leader Works 7 Diversity Leadership in Health Care Organization 9 Conclusion 10 References 11 Introduction The health care services have been entrusted with the task of developing a dynamic and responsive health care system which has the ability to deal with the organizational changes. To be able to achieve this feat health care system has to identify clinicians who are able to demonstrate leadership skills and act as role models. The health care system has undergone changes and the process of strong paternalistic and controlling principles through which work was carried out previously has become obsolete. The changes in the leadership culture of health care system have been contributed by different factors namely; changes in society and decentralization of the health care services. Along with it the other factors which has contributed towards the changes in the health care system has been the increasing complexities and changes which health care system encounters and have been identified by the Bristol enquiry. This report look to present leadership from the perspective of health care organization and shows the different traits and characteristics which leaders in the health care industry has to demonstrate. Along with it focus is being laid to present the manner in which leadership has undergone changes and the future requirements that will help to carry out the role of leadership in an effective manner. The analysis of the different areas will thereby help to improve the concept of leadership from the perspective of health care organization and will help to multiply the effectiveness of the same in the health care industry. Leadership in Health Care Organization Leadership has its importance in all fields and more so in health care organization as human life is involved. It has been argued that leadership is a journey and not a destination which requires the leader to undertake different roles and responsibilities and fulfill those (Donnelly, 2003, p. 58). Different discussions and debates have been made regarding the traits of a leader, whether the qualities are born or developed and so on, which highlights the different areas which the leader has to focus for the long term development of the organization (Hawkins & Thornton, 2002, p. 113). Leaders are expected to demonstrate different range of traits, skills and behavior and have the ability to reflect and change based on situations. Clinicians should have a deeper insight regarding the traits and qualities of a leader so that better understanding of the attributes can be demonstrated. Leadership is considered as one of the most essential role in the field of nursing as the development of new nursing and allied health care professional has increased the role of a leader. Presently, seeing the technicalities and the importance of health care environment leaders are required who can guide the workforce and ensure that the clinicians are able to provide correct remedies (Ewens, 2002, p. 13). This has been strengthened by the fact that dictatorial form of approach which uses the top bottom approach cannot be used in health care services due to the different technicalities that the system presents. Previously, the health care industry used to follow a leadership model which was aimed at demonstrating different leadership traits which a manager does in an organization. The change in profession and development of the health care sector has increased the complexities and widened the role of leader and they are expected to perform a range of different functions. Clinicians need to demonstrate leadership abilities and expertise to make the changes on all situations so that good clinical decision making is centered on patient approach and care (Cooper, 2003, p. 36). This will help to provide effectiveness and will require the transformation through which better leadership programs are developed which are self centered and looks at development in all the areas. An example which highlights the importance of developing leadership programs for clinicians and nurses can be seen from the government initiative of Leading an Empowered Organization which aims to provide leaders with the basic knowledge and aims for the development of leaders in all aspects (King, 2002, p. 27). The process of leadership in health care organization apart from providing change in ownership should reduce staff abstinence, stress and improves satisfaction level for the employees (Beech, 2002, p. 35). Healthcare & Leadership: A Changing Context The technological forces and increasing expectations has transformed the health care industry faster than expected. With the transformation, the role of leader has also changed and multiplied as a leader is expected to carry out different functions within the health care industry. The complexity and philosophy has increased the importance of leadership at all levels. The health service today at the public level is considered as God which has increased the importance of leadership and requires that the leader is able to demonstrate skills which helps to multiply the importance of working within the organization. A study conducted in the same direction reveals the importance of moving from bureaucratic management model to a leadership focused health care service (Sofarelli & Brown, 1998, p. 373). The model will help to understand the different changes and uncertainty that the health care industry raises and will help to ensure that the leader is able to provide overall effectiveness in dealing with the model of health care development. The manner in which clinical developments have taken place and clinical care is undergoing changes it has become imperative that nurses and health care practitioners develops different leadership skills which will help them to perform at all levels (MacDonald & Ling, 2002, p. 270). The leadership traits which the health care industry requires cannot be fulfilled by providing training as gaps will exist and filling those will require people who have the basic instinct to act as leader in all situations (Rippon, 2001, p. 33). Another aspect which requires importance for leader in health care industry is the ability to demonstrate high degree of emotional intelligence. This emphasis on the fact that leaders have to focus on inward rather than outer experiences which will help in the development of spiritual bound relationship and awareness (Wright, 2000, p. 23). This will help the leader to act in a more responsive manner and will thereby bring the required transformation through which leaders will be able to act and contribute in the most positive manner. Leadership Styles in Health Care Centers Health care organizations demonstrate different leadership traits which a leader should be able to demonstrate for the successful transformation of the organization. Leadership style will look to influence changes by bringing the required change in the behavior which will guide the management to take better decisions. Most of the leadership traits are found applicable in the field of health care but some of the more prominent leadership styles are as Transactional or Autocratic: This form of leadership relies on top down approach and was used in the health care industry. This style of leadership is slowly disappearing due to the different technicalities and complexities which require leaders to be more flexible in their approach and need to consider people at various positions within the organization (Ewens, 2002, p. 23). This form of leadership style will help to bring the required transformation and will help to ensure that better effectiveness is gained in managing the health care industry. Transformational or Interactional: This form of leadership involves both the leader and the followers to come to conclusive evidence so that decisions based on it are better. This form ensures that the resources are directed towards a common goal and is widely used in the field of health care as it provides the required flexibility which helps clinicians take better decisions (Ewens, 2002, p. 25). The leadership traits which the health care industry requires cannot be fulfilled by providing training as gaps will exist and filling those will require people who have the basic instint to act as leader in all situations Renaissance or Modern: This form of leadership is similar to charismatic style of leadership where the leader uses his power and influence to take decisions and ensure that the process of implementing change becomes easy. This style is widely used in health care organization as it helps to develop leader who are adaptable to changes and through the process is able to bring the required ramifications which ensures that the new developments in the field of health care is easily accepted (Ewens, 2002, p. 29). Connective: This form has close connectivity with transformational style of leadership except for the fact that leaders don’t look to delegate or pass on authority to employees at a lower instead. Instead, they look to develop a collaborative structure which would facilitate the change that the health care industry requires and will facilitate in the development of new process to save human life. The overall different traits and style of leadership which influences the health care sector is eyed to improve the quality of care that is provided to patients. This is further developed by ensuring a process which helps to improve the health care facilities for the entire population and aims at developing an environment through which better facilities are provided to the patients. The overall aim of the leader will be to influence and motivate the workforce to provide better health care facilities and to be fully devoted towards preserving and saving human life. Manner in which Clinical Leader Works Clinicians who act as leaders have to carry out the different roles and responsibilities of a leader in a multiple ways but the overall efforts will be directed and performance measured on similar parameters. A clinical leader to be effective in his role of a leader has to address the following to be effective over a long period of time Demonstrate leadership qualities and skills for a specific task: Leaders working in the health care industry has to develop the required trust and authority which will help to implement the new discoveries in the field of health care segment. The leader here has to act as change agent and have to look towards incorporating the different skills which will help to multiply the productivity for the health care industry (Dale, 2002, p. 37). The leader working in the health care industry has to use different styles like transformational, renaissance and other styles which will multiply productivity through which leader will be able to demonstrate the different traits which is required in the health care industry. Needs of an Individual: Clinicians who act as leader have to understand the different needs and requirements of individual within the group. This will help to motivate the workforce and ensure that they are committed towards a common goal. Using this perspective will help ensure that leader in the health care industry will be able to divert their developments towards providing better health care facilities. This aspect will require the use of different theories like hierarchial needs theory and social requirements theory which will help the leader to understand the manner in which leader is able to provide effectiveness in the organization. Need of the team: The leader has to act as a team member and needs to find out the manner in which the leader will be able to provide effectiveness to the team. The leader of the health care organization has to bring all the employees together so that they are able to divert their policies towards developing new process through which better treatment can be provided. This has to be facilitated with the development of team where all the members work together. This will help the health care organization to change the process and ensure flexibility through which the health care organization will be able to perform (Dawson, 2003, p. 53). The model will help to understand the different changes and uncertainty that the health care industry raises and will help to ensure that the leader is able to provide overall effectiveness in dealing with the model of health care development Need of the organization: The leader of the health care organization has to work according to the requirements of the organization and use the resources which will help to accomplish the common goals. The leader has to develop a process where synergy is developed which provides flexibility and ensures new discoveries in the field of health care. This will help the entire workforce to work in a manner which will ensure that the resources are used in a manner through which overall effectiveness is multiplied and the goals are better achieved. The model will help to understand the different changes and uncertainty that the health care industry raises and will help to ensure that the leader is able to provide overall effectiveness in dealing with the model of health care development Diversity Leadership in Health Care Organization The manner in which the nation’s face is undergoing change has resulted in leadership diversity being witnessed in the health care industry. The shortage of clinicians has increased the requirements of having a diversified workforce which will help to develop leaders capable of carrying out the different activities which a clinician is expected to do. The importance of shared leadership within the health care industry has increased due to cultural mix which has been highlighted by the community. Patients and physician are found to feel comfortable when health care providers reflect cultural differences and have leaders capable of performing on different levels. This ultimately transforms into better health care facilities and ensures that better facilities are care is provided to all. Leaders thereby have to look at the aspect of developing positive relationship and need to focus on developing a mechanism which looks towards maximizing the use of the resources and helps to develop positive results. This will add towards the development of the health care facility and is a specialized role which the different proponents and people associated within the organization has to perform. Conclusion Leadership in health care organization is a concept which is slowing gaining prominence. . The changes in the leadership culture of health care system have been contributed by different factors namely; changes in society and decentralization of the health care services. Along with it the other factors which has contributed towards the changes in the health care system has been the increasing complexities and changes which health care system encounters. The report brings out the role of leadership in health care organization and the different aspect and areas which a leader is expected to work in the future. Along with it, the different traits and the manner in which leadership has changed in the health care industry is being emphasized. This makes it imperative that the health care industry looks to develop leader who will be able to carry out different functions and will help to multiply the effectiveness through which a leader works. References Beech, M. (2002). Leaders or managers: The drive for effective leadership. Nursing Standard 16 (30), 35–36 Cooper, S. (2003). An evaluation of the leading an Empowered Organisation Programme. Nursing Standard 17 (24), 33–39. Donnelly, G. (2003). Why Leadership is important to nursing. In S Austin, M Brewer, G Donnelly, MA Fitzpatrick, G Harberson, PS Hunt, M Morris (Eds). Five Steps to Successful Nursing Management. 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