Role-meanings as a critical factor in understanding doctor managers' identity work and different role identities

This study examines “identity work” among hybrid doctor-managers (DMs) in the Spanish National Health System to make sense of their managerial roles. In particular, the meanings underlying DMs experience of their hybrid role are investigated using a Grounded Theory methodology, exposing distinctions...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social science & medicine (1982) 2016-12, Vol.170, p.18-25
Main Authors: Cascón-Pereira, Rosalía, Chillas, Shiona, Hallier, Jerry
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Attitudes to managing
Clinical directors
Comparative analysis
Doctors
Female
Grounded Theory
Health services
Humans
Identity
Identity work
Male
Managers
Meanings
Middle Aged
Occupational roles
Physician Executives - psychology
Physicians
Qualitative Research
Role
Role identity
Roles
Social Identification
Social identity
Spain
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Summary:This study examines “identity work” among hybrid doctor-managers (DMs) in the Spanish National Health System to make sense of their managerial roles. In particular, the meanings underlying DMs experience of their hybrid role are investigated using a Grounded Theory methodology, exposing distinctions in role-meanings. Our findings provide evidence that using different social sources of comparison (senior managers or clinicians) to construct the meaning of managerial roles leads to different role-meanings and role identities, which are the source of the two established types of DM in the literature, the reluctant and the enthusiast. The contribution is twofold: our findings lead us to theorize DMs’ identity work processes by adding an overlooked role-meaning dimension to identity work; and raise practical reflections for those who wish to develop enthusiast doctor managers. •To provide understanding of doctor managers' identity work in the Spanish NHS.•To examine role-meanings as the source of doctor managers'different role identities.•To extend theory on manager-professionals’ identity work in the health context.•To explain why the term leadership rather than management is adopted by DMs.•To consider certain issues when training doctors to engage in management.
ISSN:0277-9536
1873-5347
DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.043