The professional role identity of physical therapists serving in senior leadership positions

The purpose of this study is to investigate how physical therapists (PTs) make meaning of their professional role identity (PRID) when serving in senior leadership positions. Consistencies between PT clinician and leader identities have been found to reduce role conflict in new physical therapy leaders with direct contact to front-line patient care. It remains unclear how PTs who serve in senior positions make meaning of their identity when fully removed from direct contact with point of care delivery.

A qualitative, phenomenological methodology was used in this study. Participants were recruited via purposeful sampling. Data was collected using three, semi-structured, qualitative interviews. Researchers analyzed the data by developing open codes into focused codes then developing themes which answered the research question.

Six individuals participated in this study. Six themes were identified through qualitative analysis. Participants made meaning of their PRID in senior leadership positions by (1) applying intrinsic drive, (2) leading with emotional intelligence, (3) building, maintaining and leveraging their network, (4) exercising agency, (5) revising view of self as a PT and (6) establishing a more expansive PRID.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is believed to be the first study of its kind to investigate the PT PRID in senior leadership positions. This study highlights the congruence between the physical therapist professional identity and that of a senior leader. The findings of this study highlight avenues for future research and practical suggestions for the employment of PTs in senior leadership positions.