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

Identifier:  imarina:5130259

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5130259

Authors:  Cascón-Pereira, R; Chillas, S; Hallier, J

Abstract:
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.