Intentional interprofessional leadership in maternal and child health

Purpose: This paper aims to describe an interprofessional leadership training program curriculum implemented by a new maternal and child health leadership training program, its collaboration with a well-established leadership consortium, the measures taken to evaluate this training and implications for other leadership programs. Design/methodology/approach: The intentional leadership program weaves together the complementary core threads to create strong sets of skills in the areas of personal leadership, leading and influencing others and creating effective interprofessional partnerships with others around women and children’s health. Findings: The strong emphasis on the incorporation of leadership competencies coupled with evidence-based leadership training strengthens students’ clinical skills, enhances workforce development and increases interdisciplinary health care practices. Research limitations/implications: The findings presented in this paper are limited to self-reported changes in understanding components of leadership skills for self, others and the wider community and attitudes and beliefs related to interdisciplinary training and interprofessional team decision-making. Social implications: The in-depth focus on one’s self, teams and on the wider community enhances each individual’s grasp of how people and organizations approach women and children’s health challenges and strengthens their ability to negotiate among the diverse disciplines and cultures. Originality/value: This paper details the intentional incorporation of leadership skill development throughout an academic program and brings to focus the importance of thoughtful leadership development to prepare participants to anticipate, manage and take advantage of changes in knowledge and health care delivery systems.