From Healers to Leaders: A Qualitative Study of Career Paths and Influencing Factors in Chief Physician Roles in Finnish Health Care.

Authors

Sari Huikko-Tarvainen, Kimmo Tarvainen

Published in

The Journal of continuing education in the health professions. Jun 30, 2026. Epub Jun 30, 2026.

Abstract

This study examined the career trajectories of chief physicians to identify factors influencing advancement into leadership roles and to inform physician leadership development.
Qualitative interviews with 15 hospital-based chief physicians were analyzed using inductive content analysis and thematic categorization.
Four main career path types emerged: (1) planners systematically preparing for leadership through education and interim roles; (2) opportunists advancing by seizing emerging opportunities, often with external encouragement; (3) reluctant leaders initially avoiding leadership but transitioning because of circumstances or mentorship; and (4) challengers pursuing leadership to challenge themselves or improve systems.
These paths illustrate the multifaceted, context-dependent nature of physicians' leadership progression, reflecting a gradual shift from clinical expertise to leadership roles shaped by intrinsic motivations (desire for effect, growth, and change), professional identity dynamics (including clinical legitimacy and identity reconciliation), perceived leadership competence (self-efficacy, preparedness, education, and training), and organizational context (mentoring, culture, and structural opportunities and challenges).

PMID:
42391631
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 03 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.