Is leadership important to facilitate change in health care?

Is leadership important to facilitate change in health care?

Is leadership important to facilitate change in health care?

Why or why not? Is there a valid place for managers in the constantly changing environment of health care? Why or why not

answer

Leadership is definitely important to facilitate change in health care. Leaders have a real impact on the quality of health care at their organizations, and it’s been proven time and time again that an organization’s leadership will determine the quality of services provided.

For example, in a 2016 study published in the journal Health Services Management Research, researchers sought to answer this very question. They conducted a survey among Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) at hospitals in the U.S. In the survey, they asked questions related to how leadership affects the quality of patient care. They found that the overall leadership style had a direct impact on patient outcomes—and that leaders who were focused on collaboration rather than competition tended to have improved patient outcomes overall.

And there’s also a place for managers in this constantly changing environment as well. Managers are tasked with overseeing department operations, but they can also play an important role in maintaining standards in an ever-changing environment. When it comes to quality improvements and other changes that affect facilities, managers are often put on committees or work groups who are tasked with implementing those changes in the organization.