Developing leadership in health care 

Better service, higher quality of patient care at lower costs and with balanced budgets. It sounds too good to be true, but that is actually what the Capital Region of Denmark achieved through one of the most extensive leadership development programmes ever conducted in Scandinavia.

Large budget deficits, long waiting lists and dissatisfaction among patients and employees. These were the challenges facing the Capital Region of Denmark in 2009 and 2010. However, the Capital Region of Denmark has managed to reverse that trend. By putting the patient first and strengthening leadership across departments and functions, the region has significantly improved budgets as well as patient care.

Integrating leadership development to ensure long-term effect

The Capital Region of Denmark provides health care and regional development for 1.7 million people. In addition, it is also responsible for clinical research. It employs more than 36,000 people – mainly health care professionals – making it one of Denmark’s largest employers.

Working closely with the Capital Region of Denmark and all relevant stakeholders, Implement has helped design and implement a leadership development programme that covers all basic management and leadership skills. By establishing a close link between training modules and daily work processes, the programme ensures transfer of knowledge and documented improvements in the leadership mindset and behaviour of the Capital Region’s managers and specialists.

Business-critical improvements

The Capital Region has measured the impact of the leadership development programme before, during and after its introduction. More than 1,200 leaders have participated in the programme so far, and in-depth impact analyses show that their knowledge, attitudes and behaviour continue to improve six months after programme completion. For instance, dialogues between leaders and employees about operational efficiency and budgets have increased by more than 50%, contributing greatly to managing total costs and balancing budgets.

KORA (Danish Institute for Local and Regional Government Research) evaluates the impact of the programme – and the results are documented in the Annual Evaluation Report.

Helping steer the health sector in the right direction

In close collaboration with our clients in the health sector, we develop effective solutions that simplify and improve their processes and services.