An Optimal Model for Educational Leadership Competency in Clinical Departments of Nursing and Midwifery Faculties

Leadership in medical sciences and nursing education, especially in relation to clinical learning, is very important, and can significantly predict the effectiveness of clinical education. The aim of this study was to design an optimal model for educational leadership competency in clinical departments of medical universities.

This research was conducted by a mixed qualitative (qualitative-quantitative) method. To conduct the research, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 15 deputies and group managers in some universities in the northwest of the country. It was evaluated by content analysis method and, in the qualitative stage, approved by fuzzy Delphi method and application of structural equations.

The competency variable of educational leaders from the perspective of educational administrators and deputies in the qualitative stage and category analysis included 50 competencies in five categories of leadership competencies in clinical education, self-assessment and evaluation of educational performance, development of student clinical skills and individual competence, human resources. The designed model was evaluated in a quantitative step with the structural equation technique.

Considering the importance of educational organizations as well as the competencies of managers in medical sciences for clinical success, this model can be used by decision makers and consultants in order to select clinical education leaders in universities and to guide managers.