Twelve tips for integrating leadership development into undergraduate medical education

Abstract

Healthcare systems need effective leadership. All healthcare professionals can and should “learn to lead” and this requires a clear focus on leadership development from the earliest stages of a career. Within medicine, undergraduate students should be provided with opportunities to thrive and develop their skills in terms of leadership, management and followership. Drawing from the existing evidence base, the authors’ expertise and the latest “thought leadership”, these 12 tips provide practical guidance to universities and associated provider organizations, and to academic and clinical faculty, on how to integrate leadership development into their undergraduate medical programs. These 12 tips will help educators provide medical education that incorporates leadership as a core part of a professional’s identity, and help students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the teams, organizations and system they work within.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Peter Lees, Clare Morris, and delegates who attended the inaugural national symposium on leadership and management in the undergraduate curriculum, Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today, that was hosted in London by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management in collaboration with NHS Leadership Academy in June 2017.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Notes on contributors

Alex Till, MBChB, MRCPsych, MSc, is a Psychiatric Trainee, Health Education North West (Mersey); Leadership and Management Fellow, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Swansea University; National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow 16/17, Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management & NHS England.

Judy McKimm, MBA, MA(Ed), is a Professor of Medical Education and Director of Strategic Educational Development, Swansea University Medical School.

Tim Swanwick, MA (Cantab), DRCOG, DCH, FRCGP, is a Senior Clinical Advisor and Postgraduate Dean, Health Education England; Honorary Director of Undergraduate Education, Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management.