Impacts of a relational leadership development program on psychological sense of community

IntroductionIn a time of increasing employee dissatisfaction and burnout within healthcare, relational leadership approaches have the potential to improve belonging and a sense of community among the workforce. MethodsThe Relational Leadership Institute (RLI) teaches a relationship-based leadership model to help participants enhance interpersonal skills in the healthcare workplace. A survey was conducted of participants to assess their psychological sense of community (PSOC) throughout this leadership program, at baseline, post-program, and 6-months post-program. ResultsOverall mean PSOC was 4.87 (SD 0.68) at baseline, 5.16 (SD 0.77) post-program, and 5.13 (SD 0.72) 6-months post-program, with a significant increase from baseline to post-program (p<0.01) and baseline to 6-months post-program (p=0.01). There was no significant difference between post-program and 6-months post-program PSOC levels (p=0.99). Baseline mean PSOC score was greater among non-white participants (mean 5.00 vs. 4.83 among white participants, p<0.01), and greater among trainees than among working professionals (mean 4.96 vs. 4.82, p<0.01). ConclusionThe RLI intervention has a significant impact on the psychological sense of community among participants, suggesting that similar relationship-based programs could support todays healthcare workforce.