Developing culturally competent and compassionate healthcare leaders: A European model

Abstract

Objective: This paper aims to describe the development of a European model that refers for healthcare leadership. The model promotes the values of cultural competence and compassion.

Methods: The development of this model is part of the IENE 4 EU funded project with participating countries: United Kingdom, Spain, Cyprus, Romania, Italy, Denmark, Turkey. Its development is based on a) a needs assessment survey among healthcare leaders in the partner countries (N = 199), b) two round Delphi study with 14 experts and c) a focus group with healthcare leaders after the development of the model.

Results: The components of this model include the basic principles, values and skills that a health care leader should have as a role model and a coach of his/her staff in delivering compassionate and culturally competent care. This model was further used within the IENE 4 project, as a tool for creating learning tools, aiming to improve the quality of care within a cultural framework. Fourteen such learning tools were developed and piloted in all partner countries.

Conclusions: Health care leaders need to guide, mentor and support their staff and collaborate among them and with patients and families, as to provide quality care within a safe, compassionate and culturally appropriate environment. This model highlights the key principles of culturally competent and compassionate health care leadership.