Examining Leadership Training Programs in Mexico

Complex health care systems that aim to address the health care needs of growing populations require qualified professionals who possess diverse competencies, including the ability to assume leadership roles. Professionals must be capable of engaging in strategic planning, evaluation, human resources management and budget development among many other functions inherent to public health administration. The Leadership Group in the Center for Health Systems Research at Mexico's National Institute of Public Health (INSP) has undertaken the task of developing these diverse competencies by establishing a Leadership Certificate Program for health care administrators. Eligibility for program participation is limited to those recently appointed to positions within various government agencies that deliver and administer health care services.

Extensive dialogue and discussions with researchers, faculty and staff at INSP was conducted to get acquainted with the Institute, its organizational structure and the contents of the leadership curriculum. Additionally, a focus group with key stakeholders at INSP, who developed the leadership curriculum, was conducted to obtain background information on the program. Participants of the Leadership Certificate Program were interviewed regarding the development of several public health leadership competencies. Structured in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with ten past participants of the program. Data was collected on participant's definitions of leadership as well as how leadership manifests within the participant's organization and Mexico's public health care system. Leadership approaches were defined as democratic, autocratic, participatory, humane and collaborative. Participants also described the changes in their ability to lead through increased ability to: make decisions, reflect on their decisions, handle conflicts in the workplace, be inclusive, and listen to feedback. Participants reported greater ease with administrative tasks, greater efficiency and increased ability to adequately identify problems. Participants also reported changes in their leadership and other 15 public health competencies after participating in the Leadership Certificate Program at INSP.