An evaluation of experiences and views of Scottish leadership training opportunities amongst primary care professionals

Abstract

Aim: To determine experiences of leadership training of six primary care professions in Scotland and consider future development. Methods: A questionnaire on previous leadership course attendance and future intentions was distributed to community pharmacists, general dental practitioners, general practitioners, practice nurses, practice managers and optometrists. Analysis comprised descriptive statistics for closed questions and management of textual data. Results: Formal leadership training participation was fairly low except for practice managers. Leadership was perceived to facilitate development of staff, problem-solving and team working. Preference for future delivery was similar across the six professions with e-modules and small group learning being preferred. Time and financial pressures to undertake courses were common barriers for professionals. Conclusion: Leadership is key to improve quality, safety and efficiency of care and help deliver innovative services and transformative change. To date, leadership provision for primary care professionals has typically been patchy, uni-disciplinary in focus and undertaken outwith work environments. Future development must reflect needs of busy primary care professionals and the reality of team working to deliver integrated services at local level.

Keywords:

• Primary care
• leadership
• Scotland
• training

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Aaron Williams and Tyler Hieneman, final year students from the Pharmacy School, University of Kentucky, for assistance with data analysis and Dr. David Bruce, NHS Education for Scotland, and Professor Brian Durward and Professor Rose Marie Parr formerly of NHS Education for Scotland for their guidance and support.