Running head: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 1 LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH CARE 6 LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE RESEARCH PAPER Name Institution Abstract The role of leadership is vital to the growth and success of health care institutions. This research paper examines the meaning of leadership as it pertains the health care sector and the leadership practices employed in the same perspective. Provision of high-quality services is an increasing concern in hospitals and other health care facilities across the globe. The standards of the services are defined and influenced by some factors, leadership being one of them. This paper is meant to establish the strong connection between the leadership of a health care organization and how this impacts the kind of service the facility offers its customers. In line with this, the leadership theories that are employed are discussed to create better comprehension of the leadership in practice. The content and findings of the research would be beneficial to health care leaders, aspiring leaders and the medical professionals and analysts at large. Thesis: The leadership of a health care organization largely determines the quality of services offered essentially based on the leadership style used and the ability to effectively execute duty and solve arising challenges. Background Information Studies across small scale, medium and large scale organizations in different sectors reveal that leadership is a vital element of an organization. Health care institutions are not exceptions of this discovery. The role of effective leadership in contemporary healthcare has tragically evolved and transformed so as to suit the changing needs of the society. The functions of leadership within a health care organization range from planning for the facility activities, management of staff and their practices, ensuring adherence to ethical behavior and above all setting an exemplary model for the subordinates. In the light of these functions, the leaders of health care organizations are faced with challenges that in many cases hinder delivery of high-quality services. The question of ethics is the mother of them all. Secondly, there is the incorporation of technological developments in health care which may be a challenge to many (Mowbray, 2001). Among other problems as well, the complexity of diseases in this century demand intense research and investment that the hospital management has to keep up with. The ability of a health care facility’s management to handle these challenges and to execute their sole duties simultaneously determines the quality of service that the facility offers. Leadership Theories The place of leadership theories employed cannot be overlooked. The most common and broadly used approach is transformational leadership. This form of leadership is defined by a strong connection between the leader and his subjects. The two parties work in collaboration to identify the needs of the health care facilit ...

1. Running head: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE 1
LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH CARE 6
LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE RESEARCH PAPER
Name
Institution
Abstract
The role of leadership is vital to the growth and success of
health care institutions. This research paper examines the
meaning of leadership as it pertains the health care sector and
the leadership practices employed in the same perspective.
Provision of high-quality services is an increasing concern in
hospitals and other health care facilities across the globe. The
standards of the services are defined and influenced by some
factors, leadership being one of them. This paper is meant to
establish the strong connection between the leadership of a
health care organization and how this impacts the kind of
service the facility offers its customers. In line with this, the

2. leadership theories that are employed are discussed to create
better comprehension of the leadership in practice. The content
and findings of the research would be beneficial to health care
leaders, aspiring leaders and the medical professionals and
analysts at large.
Thesis: The leadership of a health care organization largely
determines the quality of services offered essentially based on
the leadership style used and the ability to effectively execute
duty and solve arising challenges.
Background Information
Studies across small scale, medium and large scale
organizations in different sectors reveal that leadership is a
vital element of an organization. Health care institutions are not
exceptions of this discovery. The role of effective leadership in
contemporary healthcare has tragically evolved and transformed
so as to suit the changing needs of the society. The functions of
leadership within a health care organization range from
planning for the facility activities, management of staff and
their practices, ensuring adherence to ethical behavior and
above all setting an exemplary model for the subordinates.
In the light of these functions, the leaders of health care
organizations are faced with challenges that in many cases
hinder delivery of high-quality services. The question of ethics
is the mother of them all. Secondly, there is the incorporation of
technological developments in health care which may be a
challenge to many (Mowbray, 2001). Among other problems as
well, the complexity of diseases in this century demand intense
research and investment that the hospital management has to
keep up with. The ability of a health care facility’s management
to handle these challenges and to execute their sole duties
simultaneously determines the quality of service that the facility
offers.
Leadership Theories
The place of leadership theories employed cannot be
overlooked. The most common and broadly used approach is
transformational leadership. This form of leadership is defined

3. by a strong connection between the leader and his subjects. The
two parties work in collaboration to identify the needs of the
health care facility and to find appropriate ways to act to satisfy
the need. Transformational leadership forestalls any conflicts
between the hospital staff and leaders because of the friendly
relationship. Another aspect of the leadership that promotes
performance is that the leaders set the bar high for the
subordinates. The leaders exhibit high standards of performance
and conduct, and by so doing, the other physicians emulate this.
There is thus a collective effort to give outstanding and the best
of the services. The case would be devastating if the leaders
showed negligence of duty and laxity in proper conduct.
The visionary leadership style is of utmost significance when
talking about high-quality health care services. A visionary
healthcare facility leader along with his team portrays a
charismatic disposition and motivates the colleagues to pursue a
common vision. To many, visionary leadership inculcates
goodwill and positive performance at work. Contrary to this
leadership style is the autocratic leadership approach. Unlike in
the other leadership models, autocratic leaders are blatantly
authoritative. Issuing of orders and commands is the order of
the day. This kills morale and causes deterioration in the quality
of services. In essence, the leadership style employed is a grand
determinant of the quality of services in a health care
institution.
Leadership in dealing with challenges in health care
Globally, the healthcare industry is observed to be struggling
with challenges such as the increased demand for services and
the costs of the services. Such sensitive matters are meant to
reflect the managerial skills and the adequacy of the leaders of
the facilities. For instance, it is upon the heath care facility’
management to see that patients are attended to timely and
efficiently despite the fact that the number of patients escalates
as days go by. Also, the pricing of health care services is at
times upon the leaders. The cost and the matching quality of
services determine whether or not patients will be satisfied with

4. the procedures. The twofold effects narrow down to the quality
services.
In conjunction with the ability to handle such hitches within the
facility, the leaders of hospital facilities bear the responsibility
of ensuring that maintenance is exquisite. Well- planned and
maintained hospitals tend to create a comfortable environment
for patients thus improving the quality of services (Keesey,
2003). Along with this, leaders that make an effort to update
their equipment and diagnosis systems accurate are favorably
considered. The incorporation of technological equipment
should be highly considered. Leaders at the forefront in the
embrace of health care technology drive their facilities to high-
quality standards of performance (Edmondson, 2006) Each and
every role that the leadership department plays, therefore,
affects the quality of services provided by the institution. The
way in which the duties are executed makes all the difference
across the institutions.
Conclusion
Effective health care administration is connected with the
quality of health care services. It is partnered with an extensive
variety of clinic capacities and is a basic segment of the
medicinal services framework. Creating clinical administration
aptitudes among doctor's facility medical attendants and other
wellbeing experts is of basic significance. Being the case for the
health care administration, in spite of the far-reaching
acknowledgment of the significance of viable clinical
administration to patient results, there are some colossal
obstructions to support in clinical authority. Future techniques
ought to intend to address these hindrances to upgrade the
nature of clinical initiative in healing center care. As the
emphasis on healing facility execution strengthens, authority to
build efficiencies and enhance quality will be of expanding
significance.
The conclusion in this research paper concurs with the
expectations of leaders stated in the Royal College of Nursing.
That is, leaders ought to improve the quality of patient care,

5. they should foster improvements in the health of the population,
should be good managers who are accountable for their actions
and lead strategies that improve health services. These core
expectations are an important guideline in strategizing on the
improvement of health care services. The award of better
services is a healthier society and personal fulfillment for
instrumental contribution towards the same.
References
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