Hewison A, Sawbridge Y, Tooley L. Compassionate leadership in palliative and end-of-life care: a focus group study.
Leadersh Health Serv (Bradf Engl) 2019;
32:264-279. [PMID:
30945603 DOI:
10.1108/lhs-09-2018-0044]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore compassionate leadership with those involved in leading system-wide end-of-life care. Its purpose was to: define compassionate leadership in the context of palliative and end-of-life care; collect accounts of compassionate leadership activity from key stakeholders in end-of-life and palliative care; and identify examples of compassionate leadership in practice.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
Four focus groups involving staff from a range of healthcare organisations including hospitals, hospices and community teams were conducted to access the accounts of staff leading palliative and end-of-life care. The data were analysed thematically.
FINDINGS
The themes that emerged from the data included: the importance of leadership as role modelling and nurturing; how stories were used to explain approaches to leading end-of-life care; the nature of leadership as challenging existing practice; and a requirement for leaders to manage boundaries effectively. Rich and detailed examples of leadership in action were shared.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS
The findings indicate that a relational approach to leadership was enacted in a range of palliative and end-of-life care settings.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Context-specific action learning may be a means of further developing compassionate leadership capability in palliative and end-of-life care and more widely in healthcare settings.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE
This paper presents data indicating how compassionate leadership, as a form of activity, is envisaged and enacted by staff in healthcare.
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