To be or not to be . . . a manager: the career choices of health professionals.

This paper focuses on decisions made by professionals working in the health industry who have, at some stage in their career, considered taking on a management role. It describes some of the factors that appear to influence their decisions. The study, based on 60 interviews with professionals working in the health industry, identified six different categories in terms of their approach and attitudes to taking on management roles. The paper concludes with an analysis of the implications for people considering a management career in the health industry.