Comments
MBAs
I know several Medics who have done an MBA and benefited immensely from it.
I know I couldn't just do management when I started and am still learning from many people who I work with. I hope I bring something that adds to their skills and experience but it has been really important for me to immerse myself to feel that I can synergise with them.
I have been a surgeon and a GP - both terrifically demanding jobs. Management has stretched me as much, if not more than my clinical roles.
Training and development is always of value.
Views on MBA
Thanks Martin. I am interested in hearing views on the role and value of strudying an MBA to support clinical leaders transfering into a management career. I began my MBA with the OU 2 yeras ago and aim to finish it next year and have self funded it. My student colleagues from industry are (almost al) sponsored yet there are very few NHS clinical leaders at all and those that are present are self funded (almost all). Are we missing an oportuity to give clinical leaders a view into the world of management outside of the NHS? Iit has been this that I have valued the most from my studues. I also worrry that some clinicans thing they can 'just do' management and whilst an MBA is no substitute for experience it does offer theory and increasingly eviedence based views on how to succed as a manager. I feel it has made a significant difference to my outlook on both management and how to support my organisation in delivering its strategic aims and objectives which is arguably what our role as clinical managers is based around.
Doctors in senior general management leadership roles
Martin, you have described very well the challenges of moving from the more usual clinical director/medical director type of role, for doctors keen to play a part in management, to the roles traditionally occupied by those from a general management background such as COO/CEO. We know that only around 4% of CEO's in NHS England in 2010 (and none in NHS Wales) havd a medical background. The barriers to increasing this further are significant and include the need for formal development programmes aimed at taking this bold step as well as the need for mentorship and support.
Whilst it is right that the FMLM is concentrating initially on the CD/MD cohort, like you I hope that a specific focus can be developed for those of us in other executive director roles as doctors. I have just completed the Diploma in Organisational Leadership at Oxford (Said Business School) http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/execed/leadership/DOL/Pages/default.aspx and found it very helpful for my leadership development and the academic rigour it required familiar and reassuring although a little stressful at times!