A Systematic Review of Leadership Definitions, Competencies, and Assessment Methods in Pharmacy Education

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education Vol. 83; no. 9; pp. 7520 - 7532
• Main Authors: Reed, Brent N., Klutts, Abigail M., Mattingly, T. Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2019; American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy; Elsevier Limited; American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
• Subjects: Accreditation; affective domain; Agreements; Analysis; assessment; Behavioral Objectives; Data collection; Drugstores; Education; Educational Strategies; Emotional intelligence; Leadership; Methods; Organizational change; Pharmaceutical Education; Pharmacy; Physicians; Review; Systematic review; affective domain; pharmacy; assessment; leadership
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7520

Objective. To characterize leadership definitions, competencies, and assessment methods used in pharmacy education, based on a systematic review of the literature. Findings. After undergoing title, abstract, and full-text review, 44 (10%) of 441 articles identified in the initial search were included in this report. Leadership or an aspect of leadership was defined in 37 (84%) articles, and specific leadership competencies were listed or described in 40 (91%) articles. The most common definitions of leadership involved motivating others toward the achievement of a specific goal and leading organizational change. Definitions of leadership in some articles required that individuals hold a formal leadership position whereas others did not. Only two leadership competencies were related to specific areas of knowledge. Most of the competencies identified were interpersonal and self-management skills. In terms of assessment, only one (2.3%) article assessed leadership effectiveness, and none assessed leadership development. Of the remaining 24 (55%) articles that included some type of assessment, most involved behavioral-based tools assessing individual attributes conceptually related to leadership (eg, strengths, emotional intelligence), or self-assessments regarding whether learning objectives in a leadership course had been met. Summary. Definitions for leadership in pharmacy varied considerably, as did leadership competencies. Most conceptualizations of leadership resembled a combination of established approaches rather than being grounded in a specific theory. If leadership development is to remain a focus within accreditation standards for Doctor of Pharmacy education, a consistent framework for operationalizing it is needed.