Exploring leadership styles utilised by Advanced Clinical Practitioners to initiate positive change within clinical practice

Abstract

The concept of advanced practice has been developed to not only enhance the capacity and dimension of the healthcare workforce but improve clinical continuity, demonstrate high quality, patient-focused care and provide visible leadership in the hope of shaping organisational culture whilst advocating evidence-based change to continually improve the way healthcare is delivered. Advanced practice is demonstrated across four pillars: advanced clinical practice, education, clinical leadership and management, and research. The focus of this paper is on leadership in a primary care context and will present a reflective account of an Advanced Clinical Practitioner’s journey in initiating a new service within a primary care setting. The paper will define leadership; consider the impacts of existing cultures whilst exploring contemporary leadership styles to determine which best reflects the fundamental values of advanced practice and therefore most appropriate to apply when initiating change. It will conclude on the purpose and value of reflective practice in this health care context, building on the personal experiences of the author.