The Significance of Leadership for Advancing Clinical Practice and Improving Patient Outcomes in Athletic Training

Abstract

Context Leadership has become a recognized contributor to improved patient outcomes. As such, there is increasing pressure on leadership development to include content above and beyond what is needed for administrative or supervisory roles. Objective To provide key considerations for leadership development within athletic training and address why leadership is critical to the advancement of athletic training's reputation and improved patient outcomes. Background Changes in health care, including increased complexity and movement away from a disease-oriented approach to care toward a patient-oriented approach, is drastically changing how care is perceived and delivered. These changes require addressing the assumptions we hold about development of leadership required for administrative roles (ie, management) and leadership required for navigating complexity, effective clinical practice, and reputation management. Synthesis Leadership is something every athletic trainer can practice regardless of career ambition, and demonstrating leadership provides a meaningful contribution toward improved patient outcomes and clinical reputation. Results Patients, the profession, the association, peers, and individuals all benefit when leadership is demonstrated effectively. Leadership development that is accessible and relevant to the different needs of clinicians adds value that ultimately contributes toward an enhanced reputation and quality care. Recommendation(s) Educational programs, educators, and preceptors must consider ways to identify, recruit, and develop athletic training leaders. Leadership programming that addresses leadership beyond preparation for management or administration is imperative. Leadership development must include soft skills that enable clinicians to lead in different situations and with diverse people. Conclusion(s) Leadership behaviors must become an overt expectation of professional practice, and athletic trainers must begin to practice those behaviors in outside of job responsibilities.