RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Doctors and managers: building a new relationship
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 577
OP 579
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.5-6-577
VO 5
IS 6
A1 Nigel Edwards
YR 2005
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/5/6/577.abstract
AB There is a long history of problems in the relationship between doctors and managers. The reasons for this stem from the values of each group and the effect that these have on their views on a number of key aspects of healthcare and its delivery. Managers have been seen as the malign embodiment of changes in society and the instrument of the wishes of governments, which are often viewed with suspicion. High-quality healthcare is dependent on a productive partnership between doctors and managers and on doctors being prepared to take leadership roles. Both groups have skills and knowledge vital to the other, so each needs to recognise the strengths of the other and find ways to develop a productive partnership. Clinical work can be improved by the application of management techniques, and management would benefit from more clinical leadership.