Investigation on the current leadership situation in public hospital pharmacies

Objective: To investigate the current leadership status of public hospital pharmacies, and to provide evidence and suggestions for further improving the performance of public hospital pharmacies. Methods: According to our conception of the key characteristics of leadership, we designed a questionnaire to investigate leadership practices among 306 managers and pharmacists working in 74 public hospital pharmacies. We used percentage and proportion for statistical description. Results: (1) Over 70% of participants thought that public pharmacies lacked independent decisiveness; power was distributed; and elections were democratic. (2) Nearly 60% thought that public pharmacies lacked effective communication and awareness of service. (3) Nearly 70% thought that leader's abilities were not exceptional. (4)There were not obvious advantages or disadvantages among the leaders. (5) Half trusted the leaders and thought there should be no change. Conclusion: Public hospitals should grant more power to pharmacies to implement effective leadership. © 2009 Editorial Board of Chin J Evid-based Med.