Journal article
The importance of soft skills development in a hard data world: learning from interviews with healthcare leaders
BMC medical education, Vol.21(1), pp.147-147
03/06/2021
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-021-02567-1
PMCID: PMC7937235
PMID: 33676503
Abstract
Background Learning healthcare systems have invested heavily in training primary care staff to provide care using patient-centered medical home models, but less is known about how to effectively lead such teams to deliver high quality care. Research is needed to better understand which healthcare leadership skills are most utilized or in need of development through additional training. Method Semi-structured telephone interviews with healthcare leaders familiar with Patient-Aligned Care Teams (PACT) implementation in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We interviewed sixteen (N = 16) physician, nursing, and administrative leaders at VA facilities located in the upper Midwestern United States. Content analysis of interviews transcripts using template techniques. Results Participants described instrumental challenges that they perceived hindered leadership effectiveness, including the supervisory structure; pace of change; complexity of the clinical data infrastructure; an over-reliance on technology for communication; and gaps in available leadership training. Factors perceived as facilitating effective leadership included training in soft skills, face-to-face communication, and opportunities for formal training and mentorship. A cross-cutting theme was the importance of developing "soft skills" for effective PACT leadership. Conclusions Although formal leadership training and development were perceived as beneficial, healthcare leaders familiar with PACT implementation in the VA described a mismatch between the skills and knowledge PACT leaders need to succeed and the training available to them. Closing this gap could improve retention of skilled and knowledgeable healthcare leaders, thereby reducing the costs associated with training and leading to improvements in healthcare delivery.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The importance of soft skills development in a hard data world: learning from interviews with healthcare leaders
- Creators
- Traci H. Abraham - University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesGreg L. Stewart - University of IowaSamantha L. Solimeo - Iowa City VA Health Care System
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- BMC medical education, Vol.21(1), pp.147-147
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12909-021-02567-1
- PMID
- 33676503
- PMCID
- PMC7937235
- NLM abbreviation
- BMC Med Educ
- ISSN
- 1472-6920
- eISSN
- 1472-6920
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- Department to Veterans Affairs Office of Patient Care Services
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/06/2021
- Academic Unit
- Management and Entrepreneurship ; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359830802771
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