Maximizing the contribution doctors make to NHS management

Management is an increasingly important issue for many doctors. If doctors wish to influence resource allocation, they must involve themselves in health service management. This article describes the results of an enquiry action learning project involving six doctors. As part of the project, clinical directors and their business managers were interviewed. In addition, the Police Force and BAA (formerly the British Airport Authority) were visited and their management structure, out-of-hours activities and planning for emergencies assessed. This article examines the reasons why many doctors do not involve themselves in management, such as increased time commitment and negative peer pressure, and suggests some solutions to these problems, including the need for a wider understanding of the role of clinical directors. It also considers how some organizations are already starting to address these issues, and how both doctors and hospitals can benefit from greater involvement of doctors in health service management.