Physician leadership and hospital ranking: Expanding the role of neurosurgeons

BACKGROUND: Empirical studies that explore whether hospitals with physician leadership perform better than hospitals led by nonphysician managers are scarce. This study looks at the leaders currently being hired by hospitals in the Arab World and explores whether chief executive officers (CEOs) in hospitals ranked higher are typically physician leaders or nonphysician managers. Furthermore, we discuss whether physicians, especially neurosurgeons, are equipped to lead hospitals and healthcare institutions worldwide. METHODS: The “Ranking Web of World Hospitals” by Cybermetrics Lab, 2017, was used. A dataset on CEOs in the top 50 hospitals and the bottom 50 hospitals in the Arab World was constructed. Independent samples t-test and regression equations were conducted, and P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 283 hospitals were ranked. Among the top 50 hospitals, 54% of the CEOs were physicians, whereas the remaining were nonphysician managers. Among the bottom 50 hospitals, 74% of the CEOs were physicians, whereas 26% of the CEOs were nonphysicians. Interestingly, physician leadership was significantly associated with lower hospital ranking (bottom 50 hospitals) in the Arab World (P = 0.0031). CONCLUSION: This article does not establish that nonphysician managers make more effective leaders when compared with physicians, but it starts an empirical course. For better evaluation of hospital leadership qualities, a new hospital ranking system must be created that focuses on patient satisfaction and perception of quality. Physician leaders, especially academic neurosurgeons, are an extraordinary leadership source, combining sound management with high medical standards. With the right academic training, neurosurgeons can play an increasingly significant role in addressing the challenges facing healthcare today.