Increasing role of women: A new era in hospital leadership
Women are gradually making their way into everything that is progressing in the world today. Primarily in sensitive fields like health care, women have expanded themselves not just as doctors, nurses, technicians, etc., but also have been taking up leadership roles. While improving patient care, women in these positions are ever improving the work process and culture of the whole organization by helping all stakeholders create a congruent work environment.
However, even now their presence in leadership positions is less compared to the number of women working in the health sector.
Increase in women’s participation
1. Women reaching senior positions
According to a report by McKinsey & Company, the participation of women in leadership in the healthcare sector is much better than in the corporate world in the US and other countries. Women are now making their place in big positions like Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Hospital Director and Senior Consultant.
2. Women are breaking barriers
Women are now confidently working in positions that were previously dominated by men. Such as:
- Hospital administrators
- Heads of medical departments
- Senior positions in pharma companies
- Leadership roles in diagnostic and research companies
This proves that women are now emerging strongly not only in supporting roles but also in key decision-making positions.
Positive impact of women leadership
1. Inspiration for the youth
When young female doctors, nurses or medical students see someone like themselves in high positions, they too get inspired to dream big and achieve them.
For example – if the dean of a medical college is a woman, then the female students studying there get an example that they too can reach that position.
2. Inclusive work environment
Women leaders have developed, through experience, their own kind of work culture wherein everybody is listened to. Teamwork thrives well in an environment in which employees feel safe, accepted, and respected.
3. Role models and mentors
Many women leaders run mentorship programmes for junior employees to help them advance. This increases both the number and participation of women in the workplace.
Why women’s leadership matters
1. Better decisions from diverse thinking
Women make decisions with different life experiences, which makes decisions more practical and balanced. From patient care to staff management, women’s perspectives include new solutions and empathy.
2. Better patient care
Several studies have found that when hospitals have a diverse leadership team – that is, both women and men are involved – the services provided to patients are better. This includes aspects such as patient satisfaction, treatment approach and behaviour.
3. Bridging the gender gap
More and more women in leadership roles sends out a strong message that women can handle significant responsibilities. This inspires women to extend their participation in other fields.
4. Economic and social development
Equal participation of women affects the development of not just an institution but the entire society. If women work at a higher level in healthcare, the efficiency of the entire system will increase, leading to social and economic progress.
Some challenges still exist
1. It’s just the beginning, the road is long
Although women are moving towards leadership, men still dominate the C-level positions (such as CEO, CFO, COO).
2. Obstacles in the way
Women often face the following challenges in reaching leadership:
- Cultural thinking: Women are considered ‘weak’ or ‘less decisive’.
- Lack of mentorship: There is no availability of senior mentors who can give the right direction.
- Balancing home and career: Family responsibilities become an obstacle in the progress of women.
3. Organizational environment
Organizations like B.E. Smith say that unless the organization’s environment gives equal opportunity and respect to women, their development in leadership will remain incomplete.
4. Policies and programs
If hospitals and healthcare institutions bring in clear policies, goals and training programs to promote gender equality, then the status of women can be improved further.
Conclusion: Towards a positive change
The increasing contribution of women in hospital leadership is not just a statistic, it symbolizes a change in thinking. It shows that women are now reaching every place where they were not seen before.
While there are still many obstacles, if organizations, policy makers and society come together and give proper opportunities to women, then revolutionary change is possible in the healthcare sector.
Female leadership would be good not only for the patient but also more importantly for balancing, humanizing, and making the entire health system more effective. The change is, therefore, a concrete step towards being able to improve the present and future.
