Abstract

Educational leadership: a core clinical teaching skill?

Author(s): Judy McKimm, Faith Hill

Leadership has been emphasised as a core element for organisational effectiveness and healthcare improvement in public, private and voluntary sectors. Leadership development programmes have been introduced to support clinical innovation and educational change for current and aspiring leaders in clinical settings, in schools and in other contexts such as public health, general practice and higher education. This article describes a number of leadership development programmes specifically designed and delivered for healthcare educators and clinical teachers and considers the place of leadership and leadership development in contemporary healthcare education. It explores the nature of leadership development programmes, offering models and ideas around the core components and structures of leadership development programmes for healthcare educators. The article suggests that leadership should be included as a core element of all healthcare education programmes.