TY - JOUR AU - Mak, Ka-Hi May AU - Kippist, Louise AU - Sloan, Terry AU - Eljiz, Kathy PY - 2019/04/14 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - What Is the Professional Identity of Allied Health Managers? JF - Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management JA - APJHM VL - 14 IS - 1 SE - Research Articles DO - 10.24083/apjhm.v14i1.219 UR - https://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/219 SP - 58 AB - <p><em><strong>Objective</strong></em>: This paper explores the professional identity (PI) of Allied Health Managers (AHMs) and how their identity is typically constructed.</p><p><em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> A qualitative research methodology utilising semi-structured interviews was employed for this research. Thematic analysis was used to extract relevant data from the transcripts.</p><p><em><strong>Settings:</strong></em> The study was undertaken in five acute hospitals within one of the largest metropolitan Local Health Districts in New South Wales, Australia. A total of sixteen AHMs and deputy AHMs were interviewed.</p><p><strong><em>Results:</em> </strong>Three key themes identified were: PI of AHM, motivation of becoming a manager, and construction of their identity. Factors motivating AHMs to follow a management pathway were identified as being a natural progression and having interest in high-level decision-making. Despite AHMs sharing similar role conflict as the medical managers, they adapted to hybrid manager roles with minimal resentment. They also adopted to the hybrid manager role with a positive, realistic and flexible perspective.</p><p><em><strong>Conclusion:</strong></em> Despite facing role conflict as a hybrid-professional-manager, AHMs manage the transition from clinicians to managers with a positive approach. This indicates that AHMs may require certain skills or characteristics to successfully construct their PI.</p> ER -