Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:357-360
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
Becoming an administrator: the vicissitudes of middle management in mental health organizations
DM Dressler
Middle management has been a conceptually neglected and operationally
abused position in the administrative hierarchy of mental health
organizations. The position is viewed as a preparatory exercise for
executive responsibility, and frequent changes disrupt service delivery.
The author describes the responsibilities, hierarchical role relationships,
rewards, and constraints of middle management positions. Health care
professionals must actively seek and retain these positions if they wish to
maintain their place in directing the work of mental health institutions.
