Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41362076›Full record

SynthesisJournal of advanced nursing2026

Exploring Individual and Organisational Factors Related to Inclusive Leadership Among Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Vanamo Vilokkinen, Suvi Kuha, Eeva Vuorivirta-Vuoti, Jouko Miettunen, Outi Kanste

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Vanamo VilokkinenResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Suvi KuhaResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3344-9333
Eeva Vuorivirta-VuotiResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6445-6078
Jouko MiettunenResearch Unit of Population Health, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0575-2669
Outi KansteResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8634-0628

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo offer a comprehensive overview of the individual and organisational factors related to inclusive leadership among healthcare professionals.

designSystematic review and meta-analysis.

methodsThe review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. Findings were synthesised using meta-analysis, a random effects model and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: In January 2025, a systematic search was conducted with no time or geographical limits in the CINAHL, MEDLINE (PubMed), Mednar, ProQuest and Scopus databases. Studies in English, Swedish and Finnish were included.

resultsA total of 34 studies were included. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between inclusive leadership and psychological safety among healthcare professionals (n = 10). The narrative synthesis further identified individual and organisational factors related to inclusive leadership. Individual factors consisted of well-being at work, performance and productivity, social behaviour, innovativeness and creativity and psychological capacity. Organisational factors revealed work community cohesion and citizenship, as well as organisational fairness and appreciation.

conclusionsInclusive leadership is a promising leadership behaviour, with positive outcomes for healthcare professionals and organisations. By enhancing psychological safety, inclusive leadership offers broader benefits for individuals and organisations. As such, it could improve the retention of professionals and the attractiveness of organisations in the healthcare sector. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT: To strengthen the functioning of healthcare organisations, leaders should be educated in inclusive leadership and its practical benefits. Training should focus on developing inclusive leadership behaviours that foster belonging, value individual uniqueness and encourage participation across all professional groups, creating an environment where both individuals and organisations can thrive. REPORTING

methodThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used to report the results. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

trial registrationThe protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024503861).

Indexed as

Health PersonnelLeadershipOrganizational CultureHumansPsychological Safetyhealthcareinclusive leadershipmeta‐analysisnursingprofessionalssystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41362076
PMCPMC13267448

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.