| Healthcare organizations, facing challenges related to health disparities, required effective leadership to better understand the problem and attain solutions. This study investigated how healthcare leaders perceived their leadership efforts in addressing health disparities within Texas healthcare organizations. The qualitative study used Van Manen's (1997) phenomenological approach, and the Healthcare Leadership Model (HCLM) guided the framework for analysis. Interviews were conducted with 10 individuals, working in various healthcare organizations, and the transcripts were analyzed by using methods that consistently applied a phenomenological approach. Through the analysis, it was then discovered that the interviewed healthcare leaders described their experiences in addressing healthcare disparities mainly through (a) leadership prioritization, (b) by leading with commitment, and (c) focusing on innovation. Finally, the leaders also believed that the (d) HCLM has had an active role in addressing the health disparities on the performance of their organization. The findings could be useful in understanding how leadership, within the healthcare organizations, addressed healthcare disparities. The results of the study could have implications for healthcare policy makers, administrators, and leadership development organizations. |
