Multidisciplinary perspectives on core networking skills. A study of skills: and associated training needs, for professionals working in managed clinical networks

Possessing a wide mix of non-clinical competences is important for professionals involved in managed clinical networks (MCNs). Skills that stand out are related to interpersonal issues, problem solving, decision-making, and managing change. Interprofessional and interorganizational collaboration is important in health care generally and is not confined to MCNs. Skills are likely to have relevance in wider contexts. Training needs identified for professionals in MCNs relate to skills associated with working in challenging situations, including: ‘managing change,’ ‘conflict resolution,’ and ‘negotiation.’ Limited generalizations about profession-specific skills and training needs can be made. However, it is more appropriate to identify skills needed for the specific role(s) an individual is asked to perform, and to investigate if there are performance gaps between skills and competencies.