Dimensions of authentic leadership and patient care quality

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationships between the dimensions of authentic leadership and patient care quality in the nursing profession of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study used explanatory and cross-sectional survey designs. The data were obtained from 400 respondents, consisting of 200 nurses and 200 patients in selected general hospitals. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics, correlation and multi-linear regression techniques. Findings The study found that all four dimensions of authentic leadership, namely, self-awareness, internalized moral perspective, balanced processing and relational transparency positively correlated with patient care quality, however, only internalized moral perspective and self-awareness have positive significant association with patient care quality and internalized moral perspective being the highest predictor. Thus, the results suggest that authentic leadership can positively predict patient care quality. Practical implications The study contributes to the understanding of how dimensions of authentic leadership practices affect patient care quality. This understanding is relevant to academics in general and Ghanaian policymakers in particular. Originality/value The research makes a significant contribution to the existing authentic leadership literature by establishing that the dimensions of authentic leadership predict patient care quality with an internalized moral perspective being the highest predictor followed by self-awareness. Furthermore, the authors anticipate that the outcomes of this research, which so far is the first study in the Ghanaian context, can significantly shape nursing leadership discourse, practices and policies in Ghana and in other developing countries to improve patient care quality.