Compassion is key to patient safety.

Sam Foster, Executive Director of Professional Practice, Nursing and Midwifery Council, describes how compassionate leadership results in engaged and motivated staff, in turn leading to high-quality care.

Perspectives for Primary Health Care public policy in South America. / Perspectivas para las políticas públicas de Atención Primaria en Salud en Suramérica.

We aim to conduct a comparative analysis of the implementation of PHC in nine South American countries. Three dimensions were highlighted from documentary sources: political commitment, leadership, and governance; care model; and engagement of communities and other stakeholders. The results indicate a formal commitment that places PHC at the center of efforts to achieve universal access. The following can be observed: revitalization processes in public subsystems, based on guaranteeing preventive, promotional, curative and rehabilitation actions; PHC as gatekeeper; emphasis on family and community; assigned population and territory; multidisciplinary teams; and, in some cases, the accent on interculturality expressed in the concept of "buen vivir" (good living). The PHC revitalization processes were affected by political changes. Between progress and setbacks, the segmentation of coverage was not overcome. The current moment seeks to recover more inclusive and broad public policies in the context of the return of the progressive and democratic fields. The dissemination of country experiences can contribute to the development of a comprehensive, integrated, and quality approach to PHC in the Region.

El objetivo es realizar un análisis comparativo de la implementación de la APS en nueve países de Suramérica. A partir de fuentes documentales fueron destacadas tres dimensiones: compromiso político, liderazgo y gobernanza; modelo de atención; involucramiento de comunidades y otros actores. Los resultados indican la existencia de compromiso formal que localiza la APS en el centro de los esfuerzos para lograr el acceso universal. Se observan procesos de revitalización en los subsistemas públicos, basados en la garantía de acciones preventivas, promocionales, de cura y rehabilitación; puerta de entrada; enfoque familiar y comunitario; población y territorio adscriptos; equipos multiprofesionales, y, en algunos casos, énfasis en la interculturalidad expresada en la concepción de "buen vivir". Los procesos de revitalización de la APS fueron afectados por cambios políticos. Entre avances y retrocesos, no se logró superar la segmentación de cobertura. El momento actual es de rescate de políticas públicas más inclusivas y amplias, en el contexto de recomposición de los campos progresistas y democráticos. Difundir experiencias de los países puede contribuir para el desarrollo de un enfoque de APS integral, integrada y de calidad en la Región.

Recommendations for Recovery of the COVID-19 Pandemic-related Diagnostic, Screening, and Procedure Backlog in Ontario: A Survey of Healthcare Leaders.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant diagnostic, screening, and procedure backlog in Ontario. Engagement of key stakeholders in healthcare leadership positions is urgently needed to inform a comprehensive provincial recovery strategy. METHODS: A list of 20 policy recommendations addressing the diagnostic, screening and procedure backlog in Ontario were transformed into a national online survey. Policy recommendations were rated on a 7-point Likert scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree) and organized into those retained (≥75% strongly agree to somewhat agree), discarded (≥80% somewhat disagree to strongly disagree), and no consensus reached. Survey participants included a diverse sample of healthcare leaders with the potential to impact policy reform. RESULTS: Of 56 healthcare leaders invited to participate, there were 34 unique responses (61% response rate). Participants were from diverse clinical backgrounds, including surgical subspecialties, medicine, nursing, and healthcare administration and held institutional or provincial leadership positions. A total of 11 of 20 policy recommendations reached the threshold for consensus agreement with the remaining 9 having no consensus reached. CONCLUSION: Consensus agreement was reached among Canadian healthcare leaders on 11 policy recommendations to address the diagnostic, screening, and procedure backlog in Ontario. Recommendations included strategies to address patient information needs on expected wait times, expand health and human resource capacity, and streamline efficiencies to increase operating room output. No consensus was reached on the optimal funding strategy within the public system in Ontario or the appropriateness of implementing private funding models.

Leadership Succession Planning for ANCC Accredited Providers in Nursing Continuing Professional Development.

Succession planning in leadership is a strategic process used to identify and develop future leaders to fill key organizational positions. This process ensures continuity of leadership and helps maintain the organization's performance over time. Succession planning is essential for critical roles and can be part of a broader strategic plan for talent management. Organizations that are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) can benefit from implementing succession planning to drive the stability of its work as an Accredited Provider and confirm that the organization maintains its commitment to quality in providing NCPD. This column describes how the Accredited Provider Program Director (AP-PD) role can benefit from implementing succession planning into the structure of the Accredited Provider processes. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(7):321-325.].

A facilitator's reflection on the democratizing potential of emancipatory practice development.

Emancipatory practice development (ePD) is a practitioner-led research methodology which enables workplace transformation. Underpinned by the critical paradigm, ePD works through facilitation and workplace learning, with people in their local context on practice issues that are significant to them. Its purpose is to embed safe, person-centred learning cultures which transform individuals and workplaces. In this article, we critically reflect on a year-long ePD study in an acute care hospital ward. We explore the challenges of practice change within systems, building collective strength with frontline collaborations and leadership to sustain new learning cultures. Our work advances practice development dialogue through working closely with the underpinning theories. Our critique analyses how ePD can enact and sustain change within a complex system. We argue that ePD works to strengthen safety cultures by challenging antidemocratic practices through communicative action. By opening communicative spaces, ePD enables staff to collectively deliberate and reach consensus. Their raised awareness supports staff to resist ways of working which conspire against safe patient care. Sustainability of practice change is fostered by the co-operative democracies created within the frontline team and meso level enablement. We conclude that the democratising potential of ePDt generates staff agency at the frontline.

Employees' pro-environmental behavior in an organization: a case study in the UAE.

This study investigates the factors influencing employees' pro-environmental behavior (PEB) within organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a nation with a strong policy focus on sustainability. Utilizing a questionnaire-based survey of 146 employees in an automotive division of a UAE company and structural equation modeling (SEM), the research examines the impact of green entrepreneurial orientation, green leadership, environmental commitment, and Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) on employees' willingness to engage in eco-friendly practices at work. The findings reveal that GHRM and green leadership significantly influence employees' green entrepreneurial orientation, which in turn, alongside environmental commitment, positively impacts PEB. These results emphasize the importance of integrating sustainability into organizational culture, leadership, and human resource practices to foster a workforce that actively participates in environmental initiatives, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable communities and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The study provides valuable insights into the specific factors that drive PEB in the UAE context, where national policies prioritize sustainability, highlighting that the importance of implementing green practices and promoting a supportive environment encourages employees and stakeholders to embrace environmental sustainability. The research also sheds light on the role of green entrepreneurial orientation, suggesting that empowering employees to develop innovative environmental solutions can be a key driver of PEB. The SEM analysis also confirmed the positive impact of GHRM and green leadership on green entrepreneurial orientation. Additionally, green entrepreneurial orientation and environmental commitment were found to significantly influence PEB. These results have practical implications for organizations in the UAE and beyond, emphasizing that by integrating eco-friendly practices and fostering stakeholder engagement, organizations can enhance their environmental performance, strengthen their reputation, and attract environmentally conscious customers and employees, contributing to the development of sustainable communities.

Nursing leadership strategies in addressing COVID-19 in light of John Kotter's framework.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the leadership strategies of nurses in university hospitals in response to care management changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, informed by John Kotter's insights. METHODS: This multicentric study utilized qualitative and analytical methods. It was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 139 lead nurses from 10 university hospitals in Brazil. Data analysis included Bardin's content analysis and the webQDA software. RESULTS: The primary category identified was "Nursing Leadership Strategies in the Battle Against COVID-19," encompassing five subcategories. This category underscored the importance of strategic vision in nursing leadership for combating COVID-19 within hospital settings, as well as the necessity of working collaboratively with their teams and other healthcare professionals. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The results highlight the strategies used by lead nurses in confronting COVID-19, which can be associated with John Kotter's theoretical framework and his model of change.

An Exploratory-Descriptive Analysis of Training Programs for Leadership in Health Research and Services in India.

BACKGROUND: There are several leadership training programs for health researchers in India. However, there is a need to develop context-tailored leadership and mentoring approaches. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to critically analyze the available leadership training programs in India for health researchers and service providers, for the leadership domains incorporated and overall training approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used an exploratory-descriptive design to identify and review leadership training programs for health researchers and service providers/managers that had been offered by Indian institutions between 2013 and 2018. Our analytic approach was based on "transformational leadership" and "leader-member exchange" theories of leadership, curricula of popular leadership training programs worldwide, and the International Clinical Epidemiology Network model for leadership in health research in India based on a nationwide primary study. RESULTS: We identified and reviewed 20 leadership training programs. These were heterogeneous in aim, scope (broad-based/thematic), course content, design, target participants and class profile, mode of delivery and training method, duration, frequency, and fund arrangements. The programs infrequently included topics on soft skills, mentoring, risk mitigation, collaboration for research, funding dynamics, institutional transformation, self-view and peer perception, and personal well-being. The programs insufficiently addressed contextual challenges of career exploration and risk mitigation, project management, strategic planning, and decision-making, ethics and integrity, negotiations, networking and collaboration, understanding funding dynamics, and mentoring. Only three programs linked to the training to the participants' ecosystem. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to develop customized course contents and training strategies that address the requirements of the local context vis-à-vis globally connected research ecosystems.

Acute Nephrology Nurse Managers and Medical Directors: The Roles and Relationships to Produce Quality in the Unit.

Nurse managers and medical directors play integral roles in ensuring the delivery of high-quality care. Nurse managers oversee day-to-day operations, coordinating staffing, patient care, and resource allocation. They are responsible for fostering a supportive environment for nursing staff while upholding standards of excellence in patient care. Medical directors bring their clinical expertise and leadership, guiding treatment protocols and ensuring adherence to best practices. Together, nurse managers and medical directors form a dynamic partnership in which collaboration is paramount. By synergizing their respective strengths, nurse managers and medical directors can optimize patient outcomes, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Effective communication and mutual respect are foundational to this collaboration because they work hand-in-hand to navigate complex medical challenges and uphold standards of excellence. In this symbiotic relationship, the ultimate goal is to produce quality care that enhances patient well-being and satisfaction.

Embracing Transformational Leadership in Nephrology Nursing.

In nephrology nursing, effective leadership ensures optimal patient care and cohesive teamwork. Despite this, nurses often overlook their leadership potential, leading to underrepresentation in health care leadership roles. This article explores the significance of nursing leadership in nephrology care and delves into the principles of transformational leadership as a fitting approach. Transformational leadership emphasizes inspiring and motivating teams toward shared goals, fostering innovation, and individualized consideration. Each aspect of transformational leadership is discussed, including how it can be applied to nephrology nursing leaders, emphasizing their role in shaping organizational culture, promoting home modalities, and fostering professional development. By embracing transformational leadership, nephrology nursing can enhance patient outcomes, address workforce challenges, and cultivate a new generation of influential leaders. This article advocates for adopting transformational leadership to meet the evolving needs of nephrology care and supporting the professional growth of nephrology nurses in leadership roles.

The Status of Nephrology Nursing - Views from Nephrology Nurse Leaders.

To better understand the current status of nephrology nursing in the United States, nephrology nurse leaders from the American Nephrology Nurses Association and the leading nephrology care provider organizations were asked their perceptions of pressing issues facing nephrology nurses. Each described their experiences and how they are handling the challenges and opportunities in their respective organizations.

Examining body mass index and health-related fitness marker progression of incarcerated minority youth engaged in a sport-leadership program.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a sport-leadership program on minority incarcerated young adults' health-related fitness markers. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study occurred at an all-male juvenile detention center. A total of 41 participants in this study were obtained from a sample of 103 incarcerated young adults. Data collection entailed body mass index (BMI) evaluation, cardiovascular endurance tests and 1-min pushups and situps at two different time periods (before and after three months). A 2 × 2 mixed factorial analysis of variances was used to test for differences among the within subjects' factors (time [pre × post]) and between subjects' factors (groups [flex × control]) for the above-mentioned dependent variables. FINDINGS: Over the course of three consecutive months of engagement, preliminary indications demonstrated participants had a slight reduction in BMI and significant increases in cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. Contrarily, during this same time period, non-participating young adults exhibited significant increases in BMI and decreases in cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Integration of sport-leadership programs is generally not free but can be a low-cost alternative for combatting many issues surrounding physical activity, weight gain and recreational time for those incarcerated.

Germany's role in global health at a critical juncture.

In 2017, we set out-along with a larger group of authors-to assess Germany's contribution and potential leadership role in global health. We considered the ambitions and manifold efforts of Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration to become a trusted leader in global health governance and a reliable supporter of multilateral institutions, especially WHO. Based on the recommendations of our 2017 paper, in this Review we determine whether the country has indeed lived up to its vision and ambitions expressed in the Global Health Strategy adopted by the cabinet in 2020. Also, we outline what challenges Germany is now facing in a more complex global health environment and geopolitical situation, where leadership in the field is being redefined following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid broader shifts in the international order.

Leadership to Accelerate Healthcare's Digital Transformation: Evidence From 33 Health Systems.

GOAL: The COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare market disruptors, and new digital healthcare technologies have made a substantial impact on the delivery of healthcare services, highlighting the critical roles of leaders in hospitals and health systems. This study sought to understand the evolving roles of CEOs, CIOs, and other executive leaders in the postpandemic era and highlight the adaptability and strategic vision of executives in shaping the future of healthcare delivery. METHODS: Between October 2022 and May 2023, 51 interviews were conducted with CEOs, CIOs, and other executives responsible for delivering technology solutions for 33 nonprofit health systems in the United States. They were asked to describe their backgrounds; how information solutions and technologies were viewed within their organizations' strategy, operations, and governance; and the key characteristics of executive leaders. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The study has found that effective CEOs have an authentic belief in technology's role in achieving their organization's mission and that contemporary CIOs are strategic executive partners who align strategy with culture to improve care. This study examines how healthcare systems are creating digitally savvy executive leadership teams that operate in a new, integrated model that unites previously siloed functions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Some healthcare CIOs are unprepared for current and future business challenges, and some CEOs are unsure how to leverage digital technologies and C-suite expertise to transform their organizations. This research provides insights into how the nation's health systems are building and sustaining leadership teams capable of adapting to the healthcare environment and accelerating organizational transformation.