Interdisciplinary Health Science Education Leadership

As academic health centers receive greater pressure from the Institute of Medicine and accrediting agencies to reform health care education, the question of leadership arises. While there are studies of health sciences leaders in single disciplines, the literature does not contain leadership studies of interdisciplinary health sciences professionals. This study was designed to explore the leadership styles(s) of interdisciplinary health science education leaders at academic institutions who had Quentin Burdick Interdisciplinary Rural Health Training Grants. The present study determined whether a particular perceived leadership frame was predominate among interdisciplinary leaders and the relationship between leadership styles and continuation of interdisciplinary initiatives after grant funding ends. The results indicated a paired leadership approach of human resources and symbolism. This book provides valuable information to leadership of academic health centers and post secondary leaders of allied health professional schools interested in pursuing interdisciplinary education and collaboration in health sciences.