Abstract
In 1990, after twenty years of service, the psychiatrist who had been Director of Psychiatric Services at Alpha Hospital decided to take an early retirement. What followed was a dramatic leadership struggle, which peaked with the resignation (in the summer of 1992) of most of the hospital's psychiatrists. In the years since, there has been a great deal of healing. The psychiatrists are all back at work. Joint leadership of the services is established under the direction of a (psychiatrist) Clinical Director and a (non-psychiatrist) Administrative Director. Management of the programs and services has been reorganized to a much more efficient and effective system. And feelings among the key players are more trusting and collaborative. This paper will explore how this crisis may be understood in terms of change theory. It will also outline the process utilized to resolve the crisis, and will draw implications for other mental health administrators who, in these times of rapid and dramatic change, will undoubtedly confront similar challenges.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
VanOudtshoorn, M: Learning is empowering. Publication pending, 1994.
McWhinney, W: Paths of change: Strategic choices for organizations and society. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1992.
McWhinney, W, McCulley, ES, Webber, JB, Smith, DM, Novokowsky, BJ: Creating paths of change: Revitalization, renaissance and work. Venice, CA: Enthusion, Inc., 1993.
Styles, MM: Reflections on collaboration and unification. Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship 1984; 16(1):21-23.
Maslow, AH: Toward a psychology of being. (2nd Ed.) New York, NY: Van Nostrand, 1965.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Skelton-Green, J. Leadership Crisis in Psychiatric Services: A Change Theory Perspective. Psychiatr Q 68, 43–65 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025457105246
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025457105246