Role conflict and role ambiguity among middle managers in general acute care hospitals.

One hundred ninety-three middle managers in general acute care hospitals participated in a study to measure role conflict and role ambiguity. Middle managers of both direct patient care and supporting services departments reported low levels of role conflict. Nonetheless, role overload and role conflict were significantly higher for managers of patient care departments than service departments. In addition, managers of both types of departments most often experienced intersender role conflict. Direct patient care and supporting services managers also reported low levels of role ambiguity, with no significant differences reported between the two types of departments. The relationship of role conflict and role ambiguity to demographic factors such as the manager's sex, educational level, years of managerial experience, and hospital size was also explored.