Residential aged care leadership in Australia—Time for a compassionate approach: A qualitative analysis of key leader skills and attributes

Abstract

Aims To examine the perceptions of leadership by leaders within residential aged care and to identify the crucial requirements for successful leadership in this complex industry. Background As an industry capitalizing on the concept of ‘care’, one of the critical attributes this research has found to be absent in many aged care leadership approaches is compassion. Methods A qualitative methodology using thematic analysis was used to explore the construction of leadership attributes needed within residential aged care, as perceived by leaders in these organisations. Results Senior staff in the aged care industry believe that compassion is both a key component and a gap in the skill set of aged care leadership and leaders. While most studies define good leadership and care in relation to clinical ‘safety’ and ‘efficiency’, this research demonstrates that compassionate caring is central to high‐quality care in residential aged care. Conclusions The aged care industry needs to enhance and encourage compassionate leadership as a cornerstone of humane and dignified care. Implications for Nursing When developing theoretical explanations for the role of leadership in aged care, researchers should contemplate compassion as a key attribute required in residential aged care leaders. Education and training in this industry must incorporate the attributes associated with compassion, including emotional intelligence and person‐centred leadership.

Effectiveness of an aged simulation training suit to support development of compassion and person‐centred care in the aged‐care workforce

“…Australian senior aged‐care industry staff argue that compassionate caring is key to quality aged care, and leadership can play a role in ensuring that there is a commitment to training staff, modelling person‐centred care, shaping cultural norms, and addressing the structural barriers hindering the delivery of personalised care in the aged‐care service industry 5 …”

“…Health‐care staff require support to gain the knowledge and skills they need to provide safe, effective and compassionate care for older people 5 . The literature continues to identify the ongoing lack of training for some staff working with older people and those with disabilities 6…”

“…4 Health-care staff require support to gain the knowledge and skills they need to provide safe, effective and compassionate care for older people. 5 The literature continues to identify the ongoing lack of training for some staff working with older people and those with disabilities. 6 Without adequate training in areas such as dementia, chronic disease management, age-related functional loss and sensory loss, there is a risk of health-care staff developing negative stereotypes of older people and ageist behaviours.…”

Nurses' ratings of compassionate nursing leadership during the Covid‐19 pandemic—A descriptive cross‐sectional study

“…Similarly, OToole et al ( 2021 ) argue for compassionate care, instead of addressing leadership and care only in terms of clinical “safety” and “efficiency.” Ali and Terry ( 2017 ) contend that compassionate leadership involves both cognitive and affective elements, leading with the head and heart. Ou et al ( 2015 ) and West and Chowla ( 2017 ) emphasize listening, understanding and supporting staff as part of compassionate leadership.…”

Senior manager leadership competencies for quality residential aged care: an Australian industry perspective

“…Moreover, Jeon, Merlyn, and Chenoweth (2010); and Zonneveld, Pittens, and Minkman (2021) each explored the role of leadership across multiple organisational levels, with findings that focussed on leadership behaviours connected to certain leadership styles including relationship-oriented, task-oriented and context-dependent leadership [22,23]. Most recently, an original research study by O'Toole, Bamberry and Montague (2021) examined the perceptions of leadership by senior managers and identified the crucial requirements for successful leadership within the Australian residential aged care industry [24]. Findings clearly demonstrated recognition among senior managers that effective leadership skills are required to successfully deliver quality care and resident satisfaction (O'Toole, Bamberry and Montague, 2021) but reported leadership competencies were again considered across multiple organisational levels with none specifically linked to the senior manager role [24].…”