title: Public health. Leading questions.
abstract: The arguments in favour of the public health director being a doctor remain powerful. It is difficult to imagine someone without a medical qualification being accepted by junior doctors, consultants and GPs. However, other disciplines may have a better understanding of social and economic determinants of health, and more skills in working with communities. Given current prevailing attitudes, it is unlikely that a professional other than a doctor could gain the confidence of the range of groups that a public health director must work with. But attitudes could and possibly should, change.
authors.affiliation: King's Fund, uk.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levenson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joule
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006293:Health Promotion; D007857:Leadership; D008486:Physician Executives; D011635:Public Health Administration; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce