Management and medical leadership - evaluation of training needs and pathways

Management as a component of training for doctors is well recognised. However, management training is not always a planned component of training and both the access to and content of training are variable throughout the National Health Service (NHS). In this article the authors attempt to emphasise the importance of management and leadership skills for trainees.

Alternative routes to attain the relevant competencies and share our experience on the value of formal qualifications versus ‘on the job training' are discusses. The article is written from the perspective of psychiatric trainees although the content is largely generic and is of relevance to all specialties.