Exploring team working and shared leadership in multi-disciplinary cancer care

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of shared leadership to multi-disciplinary cancer care. It examines the policy background and applies concepts from shared leadership to this context. It includes discussion of the implications and recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper examining policy documents and secondary literature on the topic. While it focuses on the UK National Health Services, it is also relevant to other countries given they follow a broadly similar path with regard to multi-disciplinary working.

Findings

The paper suggests that shared leadership is a possible way forward for multi-disciplinary cancer care, particularly as policy developments are supportive of this. It shows that a shared perspective is likely to be beneficial to the further development of multi-disciplinary working.

Research limitations/implications

Adopting shared leadership needs to be explored further using appropriate empirical research.

Practical implications

The paper offers comments on the implications of introducing shared leadership and makes recommendations including being aware of the barriers to its implementation.

Originality/value

The paper offers an alternative view on leadership in the health-care context.

Citation

Willcocks, S.G. (2018), "Exploring team working and shared leadership in multi-disciplinary cancer care", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-02-2017-0011