Exploring The Mediating Role of Quality Factors Between Healthcare Leadership and Patient Satisfaction

Introduction:Healthcare leadership is pivotal in shaping the quality of care provided to patients. However, the mechanisms through which leadership influences patient satisfaction remain underexplored. Recent research predominantly failed to consider the role of different leadership styles in shaping various dimensions of care quality, leaving a gap in understanding how these factors collectively impact patient satisfaction. The investigation examined the impact of transformational and transactional leadership styles and the mediating effect of quality determinants between patient happiness and healthcare leadership. Method:A cross-sectional survey collected data from 300 healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, and administrative staff) and patients across multiple healthcare institutions. Leadership styles were assessed through validated self-report questionnaires. Quality factors were measured using established indicators of communication, responsiveness, and accessibility. Data analysis and testing of the mediating effects of quality parameters were conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The final model demonstrated an excellent fit to the data,with transformational leadership significantly improving quality characteristics, including responsiveness and communication, which improved patient satisfaction. Transactional leadership was also positively associated with care accessibility, which indirectly influenced patient satisfaction.The findings show a significant connection between patient happiness, quality variables, and leadership styles. Strong paths from TL, CO, RE, AC, and TAL to PS were demonstrated by β values ranging from 0.33 to 0.45 and p-values