How physical therapists perceive physicians: a stakeholder analysis

Physicians and physical therapy service units are facing a different health care climate than 5 to 10 years ago. Managed care, changes in Medicare reimbursement, and other financing issues are causing turbulence for the industry. This article reports on more than 1,300 physical therapy service unit managers of hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies who determined the most important stakeholderoftheir physical therapy service unit and the perceived degree of power the various stakeholders had over the physical therapy service area. This study indicates that historical roles and alliances in health care are undergoing major alterations.