TY - BOOK

T1 - An exploration of leadership within clinical psychology and other healthcare professions, with reflections on power

AU - Johnstone, Megan

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - It is important that we seek to explore the experiences of clinical psychologists and other healthcare professionals in leadership positions, to develop our understanding of the strengths that each professional group bring to leadership, the challenges and barriers facing leaders in these roles, as well as their training and support needs. Section one reports a qualitative systematic literature review exploring nurse managers’ experiences of their role during COVID-19. A systematic search of four databases was conducted, and 17 papers were subject to thematic synthesis. Findings highlighted the threat experienced by nurse managers in relation to carrying out their roles during COVID19. They experienced greater responsibility in decision making on the front-line, whilst lacking power and influence over higher-level decisions. Despite countless challenges, nurse managers reflected on their own personal and professional development, as well as the impact that working through COVID-19 had on relationships within their teams. Section two describes an empirical study investigating the experiences of clinical psychologists in leadership positions. 11 qualified clinical psychologists completed online semi-structured interviews, and transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings emphasised the key transferrable psychological skills that clinical psychologists bring to leadership, the challenges and barriers facing clinical psychologists in leadership positions, and the need for greater support structures and additional training in specific management competencies. It is recommended that further research continues to explore the positive and negative experiences of clinical psychologists in leadership positions, including those from a global majority background, to inform additional gaps in training and help those within the profession feel more confident and competent in moving into senior positions.Section three is a critical appraisal which highlights difficulties encountered during the process of completing this thesis, the strengths and limitations of the research, areas for future research, and personal reflections on the work.

AB - It is important that we seek to explore the experiences of clinical psychologists and other healthcare professionals in leadership positions, to develop our understanding of the strengths that each professional group bring to leadership, the challenges and barriers facing leaders in these roles, as well as their training and support needs. Section one reports a qualitative systematic literature review exploring nurse managers’ experiences of their role during COVID-19. A systematic search of four databases was conducted, and 17 papers were subject to thematic synthesis. Findings highlighted the threat experienced by nurse managers in relation to carrying out their roles during COVID19. They experienced greater responsibility in decision making on the front-line, whilst lacking power and influence over higher-level decisions. Despite countless challenges, nurse managers reflected on their own personal and professional development, as well as the impact that working through COVID-19 had on relationships within their teams. Section two describes an empirical study investigating the experiences of clinical psychologists in leadership positions. 11 qualified clinical psychologists completed online semi-structured interviews, and transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings emphasised the key transferrable psychological skills that clinical psychologists bring to leadership, the challenges and barriers facing clinical psychologists in leadership positions, and the need for greater support structures and additional training in specific management competencies. It is recommended that further research continues to explore the positive and negative experiences of clinical psychologists in leadership positions, including those from a global majority background, to inform additional gaps in training and help those within the profession feel more confident and competent in moving into senior positions.Section three is a critical appraisal which highlights difficulties encountered during the process of completing this thesis, the strengths and limitations of the research, areas for future research, and personal reflections on the work.

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2825

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2825

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

ER -