Developing leadership skills in paediatric training

Abstract

Doctors are often required to demonstrate leadership skills in a wide variety of environments. Despite this, throughout medical school and in postgraduate training, opportunities to foster such skills are limited. This is especially true in consultant-led specialties such as paediatrics. We aim to highlight ways to improve these skills through non-clinical and clinical examples. Good leadership requires a range of styles, skills, and abilities, and the wherewithal to change and adapt as necessary. There are a variety of leadership styles – from commanding to democratic – that paediatric trainees will be required to develop during training, as well as the emotional intelligence to change as the situation requires. Focusing down to clinical and non-clinical examples, paediatric trainees will be faced with events such as cardiac arrests, complaints and errors, audits, and teaching. These events provide opportunities to develop the ability to lead with care, develop others, evaluate the service, make changes, and inspire others. These are cornerstones of medical leadership, and opportunities to develop them must be taken. In summary, paediatric trainees can maximize opportunities to develop a wide range of leadership skills and styles throughout training, in both clinical and non-clinical roles. These skills can be developed at any stage of training and will be applicable throughout training and beyond.