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. 2024 Jun;11(6):e2166.
doi: 10.1002/nop2.2166.

Clinical leadership in nursing homes: A qualitative study of healthcare professionals' perspectives on concept and characteristics

Sabrina Nachtergaele  1   2 , Nele De Roo  1   2 , Jolien Allart  1   3 , Patricia De Vriendt  1   3   4   5 , Mieke Embo  1   6 , Elise Cornelis  1   3
Affiliations

Clinical leadership in nursing homes: A qualitative study of healthcare professionals' perspectives on concept and characteristics

Sabrina Nachtergaele et al. Nurs Open. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Aim(s): To conceptualise and identify characteristics of clinical leadership in the nursing home setting.

Design: A qualitative study using semi-structured focus group interviews and a thematic analysis.

Methods: Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 41 healthcare professionals from nursing and other healthcare disciplines working in nursing homes (such as nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses (RNs), occupational therapists, recreational therapists, psychologists and gerontologists). Qualitative thematic content analysis of the gathered data was done.

Results: Clinical leaders in nursing homes can be defined as passionate healthcare professionals providing person-centred care with strong communication skills. They are clinical experts in their field and motivated to engage in lifelong learning. They are team players with informal leadership skills. They are visionary, committed, resilient and responsive. Awareness of the definition and the main characteristics of clinical leadership is necessary to facilitate the identification, support and development of healthcare professionals. Focussing on the development of competencies, training courses and monitoring and assessment methods is necessary to improve the evidence of clinical leadership in nursing homes.

Keywords: clinical leadership; competencies; elder care; nursing home; person‐centred.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declares that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Visual of the clinical leadership model of care.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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