Leadership Competency Framework for Physical Therapists (LCF-PT): Examining Content Validity

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy
• Leadership Studies
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Leadership is a complex concept with diverse, often unvalidated, frameworks.
• No leadership frameworks specific to physical therapy in the US have undergone content validity.
• Existing leadership competencies (KSAs) were organized into the Leadership Competency Framework for Physical Therapy (LCF-PT) in 2021.

Purpose of the Study:

• To complete the content validity process for the LCF-PT.
• To evaluate the cluster terms, definitions, and KSA placement within the LCF-PT.
• To assess the essentialness and utility of the LCF-PT for usability.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was administered to physical therapists (PTs) with leadership experience.
• The survey assessed the essentialness and utility of LCF-PT clusters and KSA placement.
• Content validity was measured using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR).

Main Results:

• The LCF-PT achieved an overall CVI of 0.88.
• Cluster CVRs ranged from 0.81-1.0, and KSA CVRs ranged from 0.57-1.0.
• The validation resulted in 7 cluster enhancements and the repositioning of 2 KSAs.

Conclusions:

• The study supports the content validity of the LCF-PT, enhancing its credibility and usability.
• The LCF-PT serves as a conceptual guide for leadership development in physical therapy.
• This validation advances the understanding of leadership as a distinct competence domain in physical therapy education and practice.