Clinicians' contributions to healthcare management.

Primary tasks for clinical directors are to disseminate information to colleagues, provide feedback to senior professional managers, and to play key roles in strategic planning and resource allocation in health services. These tasks are seen to reduce barriers between clinicians and management. The application of clinical directorates across healthcare organisations is inconsistent and ambiguous. When set clear guidelines, clinical directors can impact on the decision-making process within senior management. As further applications of clinical directors in management occur, development of the role is required to realise the potential.