Leadership styles of interdisciplinary health science education leaders of Quentin Burdick Programs

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2001 report, all health professionals should deliver patient-centered care as members of an interdisciplinary team. This approach has profound implications for education of health professions. The need for leadership in educational reform within health professions schools is important to development and sustainability of interdisciplinary health sciences education (Institute of Medicine, 2002). This study examined leadership styles of interdisciplinary leaders at selected institutions using the Bolman and Deal Leadership Instrument Self.; The findings of the survey indicated the human resource frame was perceived the most prevalent, followed by symbolic and political frames. The structural frame was used least among the leaders. The paired leadership frame was the most prevalent use of frames. The most prevalent paired frame combination was the human resource/symbolic frame. Of the program continuation variables, (course, staff, and infrastructure) courses were the most prevalent means of continuing interdisciplinary health sciences initiatives, followed by staff and infrastructure. The association between symbolic leadership and interdisciplinary program continuation was statistically significant.; In summary, this study explored the perceived leadership orientation frames of educational leaders of interdisciplinary initiatives and the leadership style(s) most predominant for program continuation. Findings from this study may assist academic leaders in strategically planning and implementing interdisciplinary education at their institution.