ABSTRACT
In contrast to the varied pictures of the current management function and its distribution that were presented by General practitioners (GPs) and practice managers from different-sized practices, the futures they described were remarkably similar, although changes to practice organization and management featured more largely in the responses of the larger and fundholding practices. Those who occupy these new roles will have different development needs from those of practice managers whose prime focus is the management and development of one practice. The GPs and practice managers recognized the management development implications of the requisite skills, personal qualities and changes in behaviour they identified. Quite the contrary concern could be expressed about much of what has been done in the name of management development for GPs and practice managers, which has been largely skills-based.
