ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP COMPETENCES OF PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENTS AT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW – A PILOT STUDY

Background:
The level of leadership competences of future leaders in health care is a topic increasingly undertaken both in the context of modifying the education programs in higher education and the expectations of employers towards public health graduates. Recent research conducted by Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region suggests that there is a lack of training and development in student leadership competences in the public health education programs in Europe.

Aim of the study:
An attempt to assess leadership competences in the group of public health students of the Medical University of Warsaw.

Material and methods:
The study was attended by 62 students of the second-degree studies at the Public Health Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Medical University of Warsaw. 51 women (82%). The average age is 24.53 years (min. 24, max. 33, SD: 1.304). PAPI method, voluntary research, standardized, anonymous Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire, 16 statements evaluated on the Likert scale from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (completely agree), four dimensions: 1. Self-awareness, 2. Internalized moral perspective, 3. Balanced processing and 4. Relational transparency, high score: 16-20 points, low score: 15 points or below.

Results:
In the self-awareness subscale, the surveyed students demonstrated a high level of leadership competences (more than 16 points). In the other three dimensions, the results remained below average. The lowest level of leadership competences was noted in the case of transparency in relationships. The lowest level of leadership competences was noted in the Relational transparency subscale (less than 15 points).

Conclusions:
In the studied group the level of leadership skills was low, therefore from the academic year 2017/2018 introduced subjects to the program of studies in the field of public health at the Medical University of Warsaw, which aimed at developing students' leadership competences. Due to the pilot nature of the study, it is necessary to continue it in subsequent years to assess the impact of the changes on the level of leadership competences.