In transit from physician to manager--Part I

Physicians are finding themselves in increasing numbers in significant management roles. Physician managers interviewed about their experiences in changing careers identified six critical transitions, three involving psychological adjustments and three requiring development of new skills. A framework is developed in this two-part article that relates career events that trigger transitions, the transitions themselves, and the obstacles that can hinder or block success. The challenges that physicians encounter in management are similar to those faced by other professional groups, and the chances of successful transition can be improved by individual and organizational actions.