Shared leadership in a medical division of an academic hospital

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a successful model of shared medical leadership within an academic division of an urban children’s hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

Experience and outcomes were tracked over a three-year period during which two physicians shared the role of interim division chief of pediatric endocrinology and diabetes, resulting in a working model of shared leadership.

Findings

An evolutionary trajectory occurred over three years in which the strengths of the leaders were combined to optimize decision making in a complex medical division. Improvements in team satisfaction and additional positive outcomes were achieved.

Practical implications

Benefits of and challenges tackled by the strategic approach to shared leadership are identified to inform other medical institutions, particularly those with many team members or combined programs that include strong clinical and research components.

Originality/value

Little has been written within medical literature regarding shared leadership. The shared leadership model described in this paper can be implemented by others in a complex academic setting and will hopefully lead to more robust divisions.

Citation

Cogen, F.E. and Vaidyanathan, P. (2020), "Shared leadership in a medical division of an academic hospital", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 71-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-05-2019-0137