Challenges of lifelong learning of medical doctors within the scope of preparation for acting in the position of a healthcare unit manager

Six years of studying Medicine, then thirteen months of internship and passing the Medical Final Examination, after that three to six years of specialisation training, as well as acquiring professional experience in order to, in few cases, decide to act in the position of a healthcare unit manager. Most of managers in Polish public healthcare organisations are medical professionals. In most cases they are medical doctors with outstanding academic and/or practical achievements within Medicine, nevertheless rarely they are medical professionals with background for such a difficult function which is acting in the position of a manager. As B. Freund’s study of 2016 proved, Polish curricula applied in Medicine Major study programmes are dominated by medical sciences, which is completely understandable, however when it comes to optional courses (i.e. those which can be chosen by a student) there is a lack of the possibility to choose classes related to management sciences, therefore it is of vital importance to create the possibility of alternative forms of medical doctors-managers education within the range of management sciences (e.g. non-degree post-graduate programmes or supplementary courses). Therefore the aim of the study is to perform an analysis of possibilities of lifelong learning of medical doctors who are managers, within the scope of organisation and management sciences. The analysis covers non-degree post-graduate programmes, as well as retraining courses as regards management sciences, dedicated to medical doctors who are managers. The study conclusions resulted in presentation of specific recommendations which can be useful in the process of preparation of educational programmes for medical doctors who are willing to advance their knowledge and improve skills as regards management.