In Sweden, turnover among healthcare professionals is a significant problem in hospital settings. Efficient leadership of healthcare professionals is vital for enhancing the quality and integration of healthcare. Authentic leadership (AL) is a relational leadership style instigated from the field of positive organizational conduct and is asserted to advocate healthy work environments that impact healthcare professional’s efficiency and positive organizational outcomes. This master’s thesis aims to describe the impact of AL on the work environment and patient outcomes in hospital settings. The method is a literature study. Peer-reviewed English or Swedish articles that examined the impact of AL on the work environment and patient outcomes in hospital settings were selected from seven databases. Quality appraisal, data extraction, and analysis were accomplished on the included studies. A total of 26 articles (n=24 quantitative, n=1 qualitative and n=1 mixed method) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Results were evaluated according to the literature review content analysis.

Findings support positive relationships between AL and increased optimism and trust among healthcare professionals, job satisfaction and turnover, patient care quality, structural empowerment, and work engagement. Findings were, therefore, consistent with AL theory. Future studies using more diversity in research themes, settings, study populations, organizations, job areas, geographic origins, and theory context are merited. People in positions of influence in healthcare settings and healthcare practitioners can use the findings of this study as a guide to increase awareness of the processes by which AL promotes positive outcomes in the workplace.