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Longitudinal impact of Welsh clinical leadership fellowship

Suzanne Phillips (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK)
Alison Bullock (CUREMeDE, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK)

Leadership in Health Services

ISSN: 1751-1879

Article publication date: 23 January 2020

Issue publication date: 17 January 2020

248

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the longer-term impact of the 12-month Welsh clinical leadership fellowship.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with 10 out of 14 trainee doctors who were fellows between 2013-2016, exploring how leadership knowledge and skills were used in clinical practice, impact on patient care and influence on careers. Data, gathered in 2017 when participants had completed the fellowship between 1-3 years, were analysed thematically.

Findings

All found the fellowship rewarding. The experience was felt to advantage them in consultant interviews. They gained insight into the wider influence on organisations and the complexity of issues facing senior clinicians. Although subtle, the impact was significant, equipping fellows with negotiation skills, enabling them to better influence change. Indirect impact on clinical practice was evidenced by enhanced confidence, teamworking skills and progression of improvement projects. However, the use of skills was limited by lack of seniority within teams, demands of medical training and examinations. The negativity of others towards management and leadership was also noted by some.

Research limitations/implications

Small participant numbers limit generalisability.

Practical implications

The fellowship is designed to equip participants with skills to lead improvements in healthcare delivery. Those more advanced in their medical training had greater opportunity and seniority to lead change and were better placed to apply the learning. This has implications for whom the training should be targeted.

Originality/value

A rare study exploring the longer-term impact of a leadership programme on later clinical practice, which adds to the body of knowledge of impact and efficacy of leadership training programmes in healthcare environments.

Keywords

Citation

Phillips, S. and Bullock, A. (2020), "Longitudinal impact of Welsh clinical leadership fellowship", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-06-2019-0033

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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