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Leading Ethically
The Psychiatrist Leader has deep medical skills and knowledge, alongside an understanding of legal responsibilities and ethical requirements and delivering evidence-based practice for themselves and those they lead. They are guided by the CanMEDs framework and lead to improve the health and well-being of their patients, communities, and the broader populations they serve.
Medical Expert
Leading with Medical Expertise refers to psychiatrist leaders not only being highly skilled clinicians but are also visionary leaders who shape the future of psychiatric care through their expertise and leadership to provide the best possible, holistic and person-centred care to while advancing psychiatry.
A Medical Expert leader demonstrates clinical excellence, clinical supervision, complex case management and leads the delivery of holistic, person-centred evidence-based care. The Medical Expert Leader is a lifelong learner, who takes responsibility for their own learning, and supporting the learning and education of others.
A Medical Expert leader is a strong clinician, who supports the medical development of others in the context of the broader mental health system and the needs and expectations of those with a lived and living experience, to provide more highly skilled clinicians and effective, person-centred care and outcomes.
Skills
Demonstrates exceptional clinical skills in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, ensuring the highest quality of care for consumers and leads others to do the same.
Applies the latest research and evidence-based guidelines to clinical decision-making, optimising consumer outcomes.
Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate and integrate mental health services for comprehensive person-centred care.
Engages in continuous professional development, staying abreast of the latest advancements in psychiatric care.
Provides effective clinical supervision and mentoring to trainees and junior colleagues, fostering their growth as clinicians.
Excels in managing complex and challenging psychiatric cases, demonstrating expertise in treatment planning and execution.
Understands the importance of delivering excellent clinical care, working within the broader mental health system, and the expectations and experience of consumers and carers, family and supporters and is able to navigate the complex and nuanced challenges and tensions that exist between these, adapting their response and decision-making approach accordingly.
Behaviour
Sets high clinical standards for themselves and the team, inspiring excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Prioritises consumer and carer well-being, involving them in shared decision-making, elevating their voice and respecting their autonomy.
Actively engages in educational activities, sharing knowledge and expertise with colleagues, trainees, and the community.
Upholds the highest ethical standards and human rights in clinical practice, research, and leadership, serving as a role model to others.
Advocates for human rights, mental health awareness, de-stigmatisation, and improved access to care at local, regional, and national levels.
Adapts to the evolving landscape of psychiatry, embracing innovation and change to enhance person centred care and outcomes.
Resources
Articles and Websites
The Mastery of Expert Leadership (LinkedIn)
The Lost Social Context of Recovery Psychiatrization of a Social Process (Frontiers)
Qualitative Research for Culture Change (RACMA)
Videos
How Coaching Psychology Transforms Doctors Careers (Dr Fiona Day)
Advocating for People With Serious Mental Health Illness (TEDMED)
Podcasts
RANZCP Psych Matters Podcast Series
A Clear Voice - Wellbeing with Dr Fiona Day (Spotify)
The Royal College of Psychiatrists Podcast Series (Spotify)
The Best Leaders Are Also Technical Leaders (HBR on Leadership)
Ethics
Leading Ethically emphasises the fundamental importance of ethics in psychiatric leadership. Ethical Leaders not only provide exemplary clinical care but also serve as ethical stewards, upholding the highest moral and ethical standards in their practice and leadership roles.
The Ethical leader uses ethical frameworks in their decision making, communicates ethically, appropriately manages clinical and employee confidentiality, role models ethical practice and decision making, manages boundaries and advocates and reflects on their decisions from an ethical perspective.
A leader demonstrating this not only provides compassionate and effective care but also ensures that ethical principles guide their actions, fostering trust, integrity, and the delivery of the highest standards of mental healthcare.
Skills
Demonstrates the ability to navigate complex ethical dilemmas, making decisions that prioritise consumer and carer welfare and adhere to ethical principles, and supports others to do the same.
Communicates openly and transparently with consumers, carers, families, supporters and colleagues about ethical considerations and treatment options, supporting informed decision-making.
Safeguards consumer, carer and team member/colleague confidentiality and privacy, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Establishes and maintains appropriate professional boundaries with consumers, carers, family and supporters, colleagues, and trainees to prevent conflicts of interest and ethical violations.
Guides teams and organisations in ethical decision-making, fostering a culture of integrity and ethical awareness.
Knowledge of, and champions and advocates for ethical standards and practices.
Recognises potential competing values and conflicts of interest.
Behaviour
Demonstrates the courage to stand up for and make decisions based on ethical principles, even in the face of challenging situations or conflicts of interest.
Advocates for consumer and carer rights and well-being, ensuring they are active participants in their care and engage in supported decision-making.
Leads their team with respect, trust, honesty, integrity and transparency.
Serves as an ethical role model for colleagues, trainees, and staff, promoting ethical behaviour through actions and words.
Engages in regular self-reflection to assess and improve ethical practice, seeking opportunities for growth.
Seeks input and advice when facing complex ethical dilemmas, collaborating with ethics committees or colleagues as necessary.
Takes responsibility and acknowledges ethical mistakes and takes appropriate corrective actions.
Resources
Articles and Websites
The Importance of Being an Ethical Leader and How to Become One (betterup.com)
How to Be an Ethical Leader (businessnewsdaily.com)
Ensuring Ethical Leadership in Academic Medicine (ASA)
4 Examples of Ethical Leadership in Business (HBR)
Supported Decision Making (VMIAC)
Videos
Ethics in Mental Health with Dr Jacob Appel
Podcasts
Legal Compliance
Legal Compliance highlights the importance of leaders understanding and adhering to legal regulations and requirements in psychiatric practice and leadership. Those leading compliance ensure that their practice and leadership activities are conducted within the boundaries of the law and regulations, promoting consumer and carer safety, ethical conduct, and the overall quality of mental healthcare services.
The leader aware of Legal Compliance requirements ensures documentation is clear and correct, confidentiality is at the forefront, understands informed consent, monitors legal compliance of themselves, their team and health service, contributes to legal policy and process development and understands the interplay between legal and ethical considerations in decision making and the delivery of care.
The leader not only provides compassionate and effective care but also ensure that legal requirements are met, providing safety and stability for consumers, carers, family and supporters, colleagues and the service and the highest standard of mental healthcare.
Skills
Demonstrates a keen understanding of the legal framework governing mental healthcare, staying informed about evolving laws, regulations and policies.
Maintains precise and thorough clinical documentation to ensure compliance with legal standards and requirements, ensuring notes are clear, concise and can be used as a basis for collaborative care and positive consumer outcomes.
Implements strict protocols to protect consumer, carer and team member confidentiality and privacy in accordance with legal mandates.
Skilfully obtains and documents informed consent from consumers for treatment, ensuring they fully understand the implications and are active participants in their care.
Regularly monitors and assesses compliance with legal requirements within own and others clinical practice and organisational processes.
Develops processes and procedures to ensure legal compliance during crisis situations.
Understands the intersection of ethics and the law in psychiatric practice, recognising when ethical decisions may have legal implications.
Behaviour
Regularly assesses and audits clinical and administrative processes of self and team members to ensure ongoing legal compliance.
Provides education, training and support to colleagues and team members on legal requirements and their significance.
Seeks legal consultation or advice when facing complex legal issues or uncertainties, demonstrating a proactive and informed approach.
Advocates for consumer and carers, family and supporters rights and access to care within the framework of applicable laws and regulations.
Ensures clear, concise, accurate, and timely documentation to support client outcomes, legal compliance and protect consumer, carer and organisational interests.
Takes responsibility for legal matters, addressing them promptly and appropriately, and implementing corrective measures.
