부산대학교 도서관

This research undertakes a systematic review to better understand the practice challenges of physician managers working in hospitals. Worldwide, there is a rapidly increasing engagement of physicians in the management of hospitals. There is a large number of publications on the experiences and performance of physician managers working in hospitals. However, there is a gap in research that specifically sets out to identify the challenges for these physician managers. The aim of this study is to explore the complexity of this evolving role; to determine the scope and challenges associated with the physician manager role. This review identifies 33 relevant studies in various geographic locations. The results reveal that the role of the physician manager is a complex one. There is an identified need for more extensive and in-depth qualitative research to provide a solid evidence base to better address the complexities of this hybrid role. Further knowledge would assist workforce development to improve organisational support, efficiencies, practitioner wellbeing and retention and, ultimately, outcomes for patients. This research covers a relatively limited number of small studies over the period from 2015 to 2019. The arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 will have implications for the issues identified in this study. A further review of the literature over the four-year period from 2019 to 2023 would be valuable.