Abstract
BackgroundLearning 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.MethodSemi-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.ResultsParticipants 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.ConclusionsAlthough 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.
Highlights
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
Conclusions: formal leadership training and development were perceived as beneficial, healthcare leaders familiar with Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) implementation in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) described a mismatch between the skills and knowledge PACT leaders need to succeed and the training available to them
While some research has examined the role of primary care providers as de facto leaders of individual PACTs [8], less attention has been directed toward the needs, capacities, and role of healthcare leaders who oversee PACTs
Summary
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. While some research has examined the role of primary care providers as de facto leaders of individual PACTs [8], less attention has been directed toward the needs, capacities, and role of healthcare leaders who oversee PACTs. while many healthcare organizations provide leadership training, we know little about the types of training that are most effective or the specific skills that healthcare leaders need to develop to be effective [9]. While many healthcare organizations provide leadership training, we know little about the types of training that are most effective or the specific skills that healthcare leaders need to develop to be effective [9] This knowledge gap creates inefficiencies, but impedes the application of evidence-based principles to improve healthcare delivery [10, 11]. The objective of this study was to help close this gap by identifying healthcare leaders’ perspectives on the training and skills needed to effectively oversee and manage PACTs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
