Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Need for Healthy Leadership in the Health Care Sector: Consideration of Specific Conditions for Implementation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Healthy at Work

Abstract

Because of various demographic changes, the health care sector is currently facing increasing demands and decreasing resources, which is leading to increasingly greater demands on nurses and compromises in patients’ quality of care. These upcoming changes as well as sector-specific frameworks are affecting leadership in the health care sector and resulting in certain requirements for leaders. As there is considerable evidence that leadership has a positive influence on employees’ health, it seems reasonable to take leaders into account when considering the increasing demands on nurses. Healthy leadership aims to support employees’ health and be an adequate instrument for health promotion in the work-place. In addition to a healthy leadership style, leaders have to consider the specific circumstances of the sector, mainly legal regulations and limited resources. New techniques for leadership development and implementation of health promotion in the work-place may be necessary to enable health care companies to combat these restrictions. This chapter gives an overview of current and future challenges in the health care sector and describes how leaders can address these challenges by having healthy leadership styles and taking sector-specific conditions into account.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The study was part of the European Union-funded project “Innovation-Incubator Luneburg”.

References

  • Aarås A (1994) The impact of ergonomic intervention on individual health and corporate prosperity in a telecommunications environment. Ergonomics 37:1679–1696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blum K, Löffert S, Offermanns M et al (2013) Krankenhausbarometer 2013 [Hospital barometer 2013]. Deutsches Krankenhaus Institut, Düsseldorf (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dehning W, Dostalek K (2012) Regioanle Kooperationen—ein Netzwerk von Netzwerken: Das Beispiel “Gesund Richtung Zukunft” [Regional cooperations—a network of networks: the example “healthy towards the future”]. In: Glückler J, Dehning W, Janneck M, Armbrüster T (eds) Unternehmensnetzwerke. Springer, Berlin, pp 297–312 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Estryn-Behar M, Le Nézet O, Laine A et al (2005) Körperliche Belastungen bei Pflegepersonal [Physical demands on nursing staff]. In: Hasselhorn H-M, Müller BH, Tackenberg P et al (eds) Berufsausstieg bei Pflegepersonal. Arbeitsbedingungen und beabsichtigter Berufsausstieg bei Pflegepersonal in Deutschland und Europa. Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA), Dortmund, pp 101–108 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2011) Demography report 2010. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke F, Felfe J (2011) Diagnose gesundheitsförderlicher Führung—Das Instrument “health-oriented leadership” [Diagnosing health-supporting leadership—the instrument “health-oriented leadership”]. In: Badura B, Ducki A, Schröder H, Macco K (eds) Fehlzeiten-Report 2011. Springer, Berlin, pp 3–13 (in German)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Franke F, Vincent S, Felfe J (2011) Gesundheitsbezogene Führung [Health-related leadership]. In: Bamberg E, Ducki A, Metz A-M (eds) Gesundheitsförderung und Gesundheitsmanagement in der Arbeitswelt. Hogrefe, Göttingen, pp 371–391 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke F, Felfe J, Pundt A (2014) The impact of health-oriented leadership on follower health: development and test of a new instrument measuring health-promoting leadership. Z Pers 28:139–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenhalgh T, Robert G, Macfarlane F et al (2004) Comment on “Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: systematic review and recommendations”. Milbank Q 82:581–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregersen S, Kuhnert S, Zimber A, Niehaus A (2011) Führungsverhalten und Gesundheit—Zum Stand der Forschung [Leadership behavior and health—state of research]. Gesundheitswesen 73(1):3–12 (in German)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregersen S, Vincent-Höper S, Nienhaus A (2014) Health–relevant leadership behaviour: a comparison of leadership constructs. Z Pers 28:117–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurt J, Schwennen C, Elke G (2011) Health-specific leadership: is there an association between leader consideration for the health of employees and their strain and well-being? Work Stress 25:108–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasselhorn H-M, Müller BH, Tackenberg P et al (2005) Berufsausstieg bei Pflegepersonal. Arbeitsbedingungen und beabsichtigter Berufsausstieg bei Pflegepersonal in Deutschland und Europa [Career endings for nurses. Working conditions and intended career ending for nurses in Germany and Europe]. BAuA, Dortmund (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooper DT, Martin R (2008) Beyond personal leader–member exchange (LMX) quality: the effects of perceived LMX variability on employee reactions. Leader Q 19:20–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey SE, Nahrgang JD, Morgeson FP (2007) Integrating motivational, social, and contextual work design features: a meta-analytic summary and theoretical extension of the work design literature. J Appl Psychol 92:1332–1356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Köhler K, Goldmann M (2010) Soziale Innovation in der Pflege—Vernetzung und Transfer im Fokus einer Zukunftsbranche [Social innovation in health care—networking and transfer in the focus of a future-sector]. In: Howaldt J, Jacobsen H (eds) Soziale Innovation. Auf dem Weg zu einem postindustriellen Innovationsparadigma. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden, pp 253–270 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kordt M (2014) Gesundheitsreport 2014 [Health report 2014]. DAK Gesundheit, Hamburg (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee EWC, Fok JPC, Lam AT et al (2014) The application of participatory ergonomics in a healthcare setting in Hong Kong. Work 48:511–519

    Google Scholar 

  • Metz A-M, Kunze D, Hamann L et al (2009) Demographischer Wandel in der Pflege. Konzepte und Modelle für den Erhalt und die die Förderung der Arbeits- und Beschäftigungsfähigkeit von Pflegekräften [Demographic change in the health care sector. Concepts and models for preventing and supporting workability for nurses]. BAuA, Berlin (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen K, Yarker J, Brenner S-O et al (2008) The importance of transformational leadership style for the well-being of employees working with older people. J Adv Nurs 63:465–475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nowossadeck S (2013) Demografischer Wandel, Pflegebedürftige und der künftige Bedarf an Pflegekräften. Eine Übersicht [Demographic change, people needing long-term care, and the future need for carers. An overview]. Bundesgesundheitsbla 56:1040–1047 (in German)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogunfowora B (2014) It’s all a matter of consensus: leader role modeling strength as a moderator of the links between ethical leadership and employee outcomes. Hum Relat 67:1467–1490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papathanasiou IV, Fradelos EC, Kleisiaris CF et al (2014) Motivation, leadership, empowerment and confidence: their relation with nurses’ burnout. Mater Sociomed 26:405–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Remdisch S, Gerstenberg R, Storm V (2013) Ergebnisbericht zur Studie “Organisationale Gesundheit in der Pflegebranche” [Result report on the study “Organizational health in the health care sector”]. Leuphana University Luneburg, Luneburg (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rost JC (2008) Leadership definition. In: Marturano A, Gosling J (eds) Leadership: the key concepts. Routledge, New York, pp 94–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothgang H, Müller R, Unger R (2012) Themenreport “Pflege 2030” [Thematic report “Health care 2030”]. https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/unsere-projekte/pflege-vor-ort/projektthemen/pflegereport-2030. Accessed 20 Mar 2015 (in German)

  • Shirey MR (2006) Authentic leaders creating healthy work environments for nursing practice. Am J Crit Care 15:256–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon M, Tackenberg P, Hasselhorn H-M et al (2005) Auswertung der ersten Befragung der NEXT-Studie in Deutschland [Results from the first survey of the NEXT-study in Germany]. Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Skakon J, Nielsen K, Borg V, Guzman J (2010) Are leaders’ well-being, behaviours and style associated with the affective well-being of their employees? A systematic review of three decades of research. Work Stress 24:107–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sockoll I, Kramer I, Bödeker W (2008) iga-Report 13: Wirksamkeit und Nutzen betrieblicher Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention. Zusammenstellung der wissenschaftlichen Evidenz 2000 bis 2006 [iga-Report 13: effectiveness and profit of work-place health promotion and prevention. Summary of scientific evidence 2000 to 2006]. BKK Bundesverband, Essen (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiess E, Stadler P (2007) Gesundheitsförderliches Führen—Defizite erkennen und Fehlbelastungen der Mitarbeiter reduzieren [Health-supportive leading—identifying deficits and reducing employees’ strains]. In: Weber A, Hörmann G (eds) Psychosoziale Gesundheit im Beruf: Mensch, Arbeitswelt. Gesellschaft. Genter-Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 255–274 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistisches Bundesamt (2010) Demografischer Wandel in Deutschland. Auswirkungen auf Krankenhausbehandlungen und Pflegebedürftige im Bund und in den Ländern [Demographic change in Germany. Effects on hospital treatment and people in need of care at federal and state level]. Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistisches Bundesamt (2013) Pflegestatistik 2011—Pflege im Rahmen der Pflegeversicherung—Deutschlandergebnisse [Health care statistics 2011—health care in the scope of health care insurance—results for Germany]. Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tepper BJ (2007) Abusive supervision in work organizations: review, synthesis, and research agenda. J Manage 33:261–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulich E, Wülser M (2010) Gesundheitsmanagement in Unternehmen. Arbeitspsychologische Perspektiven [Health management in companies. Work-psychological perspectives], 4th edn. Gabler, Wiesbaden (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollmar M (2013) Berufliche Weiterbildung in Unternehmen 2010—Methodik und erste Ergebnisse [Professional development in companies 2010—method and initial results]. In: Statistisches Bundesamt (ed) Wirtschaft und Statistik. Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden, pp 276–287 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Von dem Knesebeck O, Blum K, Grosse K et al (2009) Arbeitsbedingungen und Patientenversorgung [Working conditions and patient care]. Arzt Krankenhaus 7:210–213 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Treuer K, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Little G (2014) The impact of shift work and organizational work climate on health outcomes in nurses. J Occup Health Psychol 19(4):453–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wegge J, Shemla M, Haslam SA (2014) Leader behavior as a determinant of health at work: specification and evidence of five key pathways. Z Pers 28:6–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilde B, Hinrichs S, Pavez CB et al (2009) Führungskräfte und ihre Verantwortung für die Gesundheit ihrer Mitarbeiter—Eine empirische Untersuschung zu den Bedingungsfaktoren gesundheitsförderlichen Führens [Leaders and their responsibility for employees’ health—an empirical study on factors influencing health-supporting leadership]. Wirtschaftspsychologie 2:74–89 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xanthopoulou D, Bakker AB, Demerouti E et al (2007) The role of personal resources in the job demands-resources model. Int J Stress Manage 14:121–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leuphana University Luneburg, Luneburg, Germany

    David Horstmann & Hanna Lisa Eckerth

Authors
  1. David Horstmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hanna Lisa Eckerth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Horstmann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Berlin, Germany

    Markus Wiencke

  2. SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality & Social Policy, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Mirella Cacace

  3. Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany

    Sebastian Fischer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Horstmann, D., Eckerth, H.L. (2016). The Need for Healthy Leadership in the Health Care Sector: Consideration of Specific Conditions for Implementation. In: Wiencke, M., Cacace, M., Fischer, S. (eds) Healthy at Work . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32331-2_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation