Effective Academic Leadership in Clinical Departments of Medical Universities: A Grounded Theory

Abstract

Universities of Medical Sciences as the organizations that provide human resources for the health systems need effective leaders who can promote the medical status of the countries. In this regard, the present qualitative grounded theory study is an attempt to design an effective leadership model for departments of clinical education. The study identified causal conditions, background, confounding variables, consequences, and the central theme of “belief in effective leadership” to determine formation process of effective leadership. Based on the study findings, effective leadership model was designed for clinical education departments of medical universities. The distinguishing aspect of this model compared to the previously presented models of academic leadership is creation of the belief of effective leadership in medical sciences universities. This distinguishing factor emphasizes the academic leader’s recognition of their immediate environment, university, department and their selves.