Expert Leadership: Doctors Versus Managers for the Executive Leadership of Australian Mental Health – Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

In a recent Viewpoint, Bhugra (2013) encouraged psychiatrists to assume leadership roles across the mental health system as part of a ‘new professionalism’. He advised, “Doctors need to take on leadership roles – whether these are small (for the team) or large (for the organisation or professional body)” (Bhugra, 2013: page 1106). His call is consistent with our College’s continuing emphasis on every psychiatrist developing skills in leadership and management that are appropriate for their organisational and community roles. The College delivers training and continuing education through the framework outlined by the professional charter produced by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (CanMEDS), which highlights competency as a Manager as one of six key areas of professional expertise (see Figure 1). This Viewpoint will focus on research investigating the professional model of leadership and management. It asks how physician-leaders with the right combination of CanMEDS management and professional skills can contribute to the performance of health services including psychiatry.