ABSTRACT
Management requires competence in the technical aspects of management, e.g. employment legislation, organisational policy and procedures, quality control, etc. Top management concentrates on overall strategies and long-term plans; what the organisation's goals should be two to ten years ahead. The manager's control function includes controlling costs and waste. The basis for any control system is to keep systematic and specific records, i.e. ‘the waste last month was 10.56%’ not ‘bigger than usual'. The majority of doctor employers interfered in a very disruptive and unconstructive way, and very many confused the decision-making process by being indecisive and not allowing their managers the final say. The most frequently occurring problem in general practice is that doctors often underestimate the level of management skill required. Practice managers need to be much more actively involved in strategic and clinical management. Effective managers communicate effectively and assertively, in ways that reinforce the self-respect of both parties.
