[A study to compare formal duties of medical directors of Italian public hospitals with actual activities performer]. / Studio comparativo di compiti e funzioni del Dirigente Medico di Presidio Ospedaliero.

It is difficult to identify, from a regulatory point of view, the actual competencies of medical directors of public hospitals in Italy. A questionnaire survey was therefore conducted to identify which are the activities actually performed by this professional. One hundred twenty local health authorities participated in the survey. Findings reveal that many activities conducted by the hospital medical director, such a mediation with the local health authorities, are not formally recognized and that the medical director actually conducts more complex activities than those formally pertaining to his role.