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Abstract
Our current health care system is broken and unsustainable. Patients desire the highest quality care, and it needs to cost less. To regain public trust, the health care system must change and adapt to the current needs of patients. The diverse group of stakeholders in the health care system creates challenges for improving the value of care. Health care providers are in the best position to determine effective ways of improving the value of care. To create change, health care providers must learn how to effectively lead patients, those within health care organizations, and other stakeholders. This article presents servant leadership as the best model for health care organizations because it focuses on the strength of the team, developing trust and serving the needs of patients. As servant leaders, health care providers may be best equipped to make changes in the organization and in the provider-patient relationship to improve the value of care for patients.
© 2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research * Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(3):374-381
Our current health care system is broken and unsustainable. This article provides a leadership-focused solution to address this challenge. The first section defines the health care system stakeholders and then discusses the complex challenges of creating a more effective health care system that improves the value of care for patients by both increasing the quality of care and lowering its cost. The second section analyzes how health care providers can provide the crucial leadership to achieve these goals. In a trusting partnership with their patients, health care providers understand patient needs and available care; however, as the third section explains, the providers need leadership education and development to undertake their leadership roles. The fourth section identifies servant leadership as the best model for health care organizations and providers because it focuses on trust and empowerment in both patient relationships (so that patients can make health decisions in their best interests) and health care provider team relationships that deliver their care.
CHALLENGES FACED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Competing Interests of health care System Stakeholders
The health care system has a wide range of stakeholders including patients; health care providers; health care organizations; federal, state, and local governments; health insurance companies; business employers; health...