Healthcare middle managers’ capacity and capability to quality improvement
ISSN: 1751-1879
Article publication date: 20 May 2020
Issue publication date: 15 July 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify and critically discuss how healthcare middle managers’ (HMMs) development of the capacity and capability for leadership are experienced to influence quality improvement (QI) in nursing homes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study had a critical hermeneutic perspective with data gathered using focus groups, one individual interview and participative observations. Analysis was guided by a qualitative interpretive approach.
Findings
The results show how HMMs’ development of the capacity and capability for leadership are experienced to influence QI in nursing homes through grasping complexity in a conflicting practice. This involves continuous knowledge development and compensating contrasted by resource shortages, role conflicts and the lack of trust and cooperation.
Originality/value
HMMs have a key role in implementing QIs in healthcare. There are few studies on how HMMs develop the capacity and capability for leadership and it is unclear how clinical contexts are influenced by HMMs’ development. This study provides new knowledge supporting a change facilitating HMMs’ developmental processes targeting practical influence; it emphasizes continuity, coherence, presence and trust.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author thank the participants, the municipality and the nursing homes for the opportunity to complete this study, the engagement, and the participation to increase the study's trustworthiness and impact. We also thank university lecturer Berit Mosseng Sjølie and PhD candidate Rita Solbakken for thorough assistance of the moderation of the focus groups. This study was funded by Nord University. The funding body had no role in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation of the data, or writing of the manuscript.
Citation
Hartviksen, T.A., Aspfors, J. and Uhrenfeldt, L. (2020), "Healthcare middle managers’ capacity and capability to quality improvement", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 279-294. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-11-2019-0072
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited