A Blended Leadership Model for Turkish Health Policy Governance: Insights from private hospital executives

Objective: To determine the leadership characteristics of health policymakers in Türkiye from the perspectives of private hospital managers and to propose the most appropriate blended leadership model in line with the unique characteristics of the health sector. Design: The study employed a qualitative research design with content analysis based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Setting: Using purposive sampling, this exploratory case-based study included (four secondary-level and one tertiary-level) operating in the Gaziosmanpaşa district of Istanbul, providing context-specific insights into the perspectives of private hospital executives. Main outcome measures: It was determined that all private hospital managers interviewed positioned Turkish healthcare policymakers as autocratic leaders, and it was observed that this leadership style caused resistance and loss of institutional autonomy in the sector. Results: On the other hand, when private hospital managers were asked to recommend an appropriate leadership style to healthcare policymakers for the effective and efficient delivery of healthcare services, all managers recommended the adoption of Visionary, Democratic and Ethical leadership styles together, while 3 managers expressed the view that Servant leadership should also be included. Conclusions: The findings suggest that, due to the unique characteristics of the Turkish healthcare system, a single leadership style is not sufficient. Consequently, it has been established that healthcare policymakers should adopt a leadership model that combines Visionary, Democratic, Ethical, and Servant leadership styles. Health policymakers adopting this model to increase both transparency and stakeholder participation is not merely an academic recommendation but also an important managerial necessity for establishing efficiency and trust in the healthcare sector.