Administration and management skills needed by physical therapist graduates in 2010: a national survey

Administration and management (A and M) skills are essential to physical therapist practice. This study identified which A and M skills will be most critical for future Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates to possess upon entry into clinical practice.

Using a 7-point scale, 435 randomly selected American Physical Therapy Association members (physical therapists) rated 121 A and M skills based on expectation of the level of independence required by a new DPT graduate.

No differences among respondents based on role, work setting, or experience were found, so the data were combined for factor analyses, producing 16 A and M skill groups. The most independence was expected in skills related to self-management, compliance with rules, ethical behavior, and insurance coding. Skills requiring the most assistance were marketing and strategic planning, financial analysis and budgeting, and environmental assessment.

This study has identified the level of independence for the A and M skills needed by new DPT graduates, provided empirical evidence suggesting which A and M skills should be included in DPT curricula, and suggested a pattern of A and M skill acquisition that applies first to the new therapist and the patient, then to the organization, and finally to the health care environment.