Psychologists Aspiring to Leadership Positions in Public Sector Health Care

Psychologists are well-positioned to take on leadership roles in health care systems as a result of the broad-based skills included in doctoral level, professional training programs. These include knowledge of evidence-based practice, extensive training in applied research and clinical practice, emphasis on critical thinking in scientific methods and hypothesis testing, teaching, supervision, team consultation, and continuous learning (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006; Korman, 1974; McFall, 2007). Formal opportunities to learn how to apply these skills in leadership and organizational management roles are, however, limited during graduate training. There have been recent efforts within the American Psychological Association to foster interest and readiness for leadership roles among psychologists. These efforts have included a leadership development fellowship, on-demand webinars, and online learning for continuing education (American Psychological Association, 2023). The content of these training opportunities is typically general in nature so that it can be applied to all types of organizational settings. Psychologists interested in leadership positions within public sector health care organizations are likely to benefit from information that aligns more specifically with the mission and organizational structures of such systems. This article presents a conceptual framework to prepare psychologists aspiring to leadership positions in public sector health care. Leadership theories and models from organizational management science are outlined which capture the context and organizational goals of such programs. Public Significance Statement This article provides an overview of a leadership development framework for psychologists aspiring to leadership positions involving organizational and team management in public sector health care.