Evaluation of a clinical leadership initiative.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a clinical leadership initiative in mental health and care of older people settings.


METHODS
Clinical leaders (n=15), clinical nurse managers (n=6), and mentors (n=4) involved in the initiative received three questionnaires assessing perceived change, occupational stress and burnout. A nurse, a support worker and a doctor or therapist with whom the clinical leaders worked, each received the perceived change questionnaire (n=45). A comparative group of senior nurses (n=6) who were not part of the initiative received all three questionnaires. A comparative group of clinical nurse managers (n=3) not involved in the initiative received the perceived change questionnaire.


RESULTS
Major improvements in direct care management, communication processes, decision-making, clinical nursing care, reporting and evaluation practices, and support strategies and processes at ward level were indicated. The evaluation also identified evidence of stress, potential burnout and job dissatisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
A customised design was negotiated between the evaluators and the NHS trust, and recommendations were made for wider introduction of the initiative, with enhanced planning, an integrated evaluation process and a systematic approach to job redesign.
West
Bernice
B
Centre for Nurse Practice Research and Development (CeNPRaD), School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. b.west@rgu.ac.uk
Lyon
Michael H
MH
McBain
Maureen
M
Gass
John
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D007857:Leadership; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires