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Developing the doctor-manager leadership role

December 2004

Introduction
Every doctor has certain management responsibilities, including managing his/her time, resources, staff and patients. Since the introduction of medical managers into NHS service, there has been considerable debate regarding the dynamic doctor-manager relationship, as well as the question of how doctors function as medical managers. Management issues also affect medical academics, and doctors who manage in the private sector, for example in private practices and private or independent hospitals. This is largely in relation to clinical governance, and in the management of consultants through specialist groups and formal medical partnerships.

This discussion paper aims to raise awareness about access to programmes which offer opportunities to learn about leadership in the medical profession and the development of management skills for doctors. It identifies a number of providers who offer opportunities in leadership development and can serve as a resource for doctors who are interested in building or improving their management skills. A ‘leader’ can be defined as ‘a person who rules, guides or inspires others’ is often one who is able to change the direction of an organisation. In broad terms, and in the context of this paper, ‘leadership’ can be defined as ‘the ability to influence and inspire others to work towards the attainment of objectives and goals’ [1 - go to the reference]. Leadership can be perceived as a key aspect of management.

This is the first in a short series of BMA papers on doctors in management.

This report is also available from:
BMA science and education department
British Medical Association
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9JP
email: info.science@bma.org.uk

Editorial board
A resource from the BMA science and education department and the board of medical education
Chairman, board of medical education - Dr Peter Dangerfield
Director of professional activities - Prof Vivienne Nathanson
Head of science and education - Dr Caroline Seddon
Editor - Elaine Martyn
Research and writing - update - Fleur Conn
Editorial secretariat - Emily Hoy

Board of medical education
This report update was prepared under the auspices of the board of medical education of the British Medical Association, whose membership for 2004/2005 was as follows:

Professor Sir Charles George - President, BMA
Dr Michael Wilks - Chairman, BMA representative body
Mr James Johnson - Chairman, BMA council
Dr David Pickersgill - Treasurer, BMA
Dr Peter Dangerfield - Chairman, board of medical education
Dr D Sinclair - Deputy chairman, board of medical education
Dr J S Bamrah
Dr S Calvert
Ms D Covey
Dr G Dilliway
Dr D Goodsman
Dr R Hooke
Miss L Kapila
Dr G Lewis
Prof S Lingam
Dr H McKeown
Dr J Oxley
Dr B Qureshi (Deputy)
Mr A H Siddiky
Prof T Weetman
Dr J Trowell (Deputy)