Development of a National Medical Leadership Competency Framework: Syrian Approach

Background and Objectives: As team-based practices and integrated care approaches become more prevalent, it is essential for physicians to be skilled practitioners capable of functioning efficiently and effectively within complex health systems. In addition to clinical expertise, they should also develop management and leadership competencies. This study aimed to identify the medical leadership competencies among healthcare professionals in the Syrian Arab Republic. Methods: The study involved 86 participants. The Self-assessment tool NHS Leadership test was applied, comprising 40 questions. Data was collected through a Google Form which was distributed online. The results were analysed using statistical software SPSS version 24. Results: Findings showed that the perceptions of resident doctors in Syrian government hospitals regarding the medical leadership competencies were moderate overall, with some items ranked low. The responses revealed that “Demonstrating personal qualities” was the most consistently recognized leadership competencies, with a mean score of (3.42). There were no statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level in medical leadership competencies based on residency year and specialization, although significant differences were observed favoring male participants . Conclusions: There is a critical need to enhance leadership effectiveness among healthcare professionals in the Syrian Arab Republic, especially in the areas of Setting Direction and Managing services, which received the lowest rankings. This improvement should begin at the undergraduate level through targeted courses during academic semesters, followed by continuous training and exposure to systematic rehabilitation programs during residency.