Doctors and resource management: incentives and goodwill

The increasing pressure on resources available for health care in many countries has led to a re-examination of the way in which resources are allocated and committed. One important and innovative option is for managers and doctors to collaborate formally in decision-making. This paper draws on experience of this approach in the UK National Health Service, in the Resource Management Initiative and suggests that its success or failure depends on the nature and strength of the incentives to the two sides to collaborate.