Sensemaking through crisis: Critical Care Pharmacist (CCP) leadership during COVID-19

Ukoha, Adegbayi; Edwards, Gareth

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to understand how Critical Care Pharmacist’s (CCP) coped during the COVID-19 crisis by investigating what sense-making and leadership processes were evident during the crisis.
Design/Methodology/Approach - Data from ten semi-structured interviews of Lead CCP’s across different NHS organisations in the UK was analysed through a thematic process.
Findings - The findings identified that strong pre-existing relationships and high levels of trust play a significant role in successfully navigating a crisis. Four sense-making processes seem important to building and maintaining these relationships and trust – 1) Identifying cues for change; 2) Authoring and labelling; 3) Interpretation and storytelling; and 4) Negotiation and deliberation.
Originality/ Value - The research also highlights the need for organisations to acknowledge the leadership roles undertaken by CCP teams and to leverage this role by investment in leadership training, thereby increasing resilience and preparedness for future storms or crises on the horizon.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 25, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 8, 2024
• Print ISSN: 1751-1879
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-10-2023-0077
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12085583