Innovation and Thought Leadership by Women in Healthcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the innovation and thought leadership of women in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We used a phenomenological qualitative design. Participants were women health leaders (WHLs) from multiple hospital administration levels. Their thought leadership profile and innovation were assessed. Results: All WHLs indicated awareness of strengths and weaknesses, actively prioritised tasks, showed openness to feedback, and effectively assessed sources of conflict. Most were willing to listen to others, accept advice, and open to change. They were confident of their credibility and comprehensibility of their messages, felt capable of solving problems and handling conflict, utilised a negotiating style, and showed situation-appropriate emotion. They were confident in managing teamwork, allocated resources efficiently, and supported employee work preferences. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of WHLs’ capabilities in leading healthcare organisations during crisis and the shift to virtual care in Saudi Arabia. Establishing women’s leadership programs that focus on placing women in healthcare executive positions is necessary to utilise their untapped potential. Facilitating research on women’s leadership capacity, administrative skill, and impact on providing the highest quality healthcare would be valuable. Evaluating infrastructure and preparedness of healthcare organisations to expand virtual care and the potential for innovation to sustain performance during crises are crucial. Supportive hospital culture provides confidence to WHLs to manage and achieve organisational goals with relative fluidity.