Financial model to determine the effect of clinical education programs on physical therapy departments

The purpose of this study was to develop a financial model to help administrators determine the financial effect of physical therapy clinical education programs on facilities. I developed the model from an analysis of actual field data collected on the financial and time variables involved in the clinical education process. Therapists with and without students were matched in six (three large, three small) physical therapy departments. Each completed a modified time-motion study for a sample of typical days during 2 six-week student affiliation periods and for a one-week period without students. I identified and field tested five factors that can be integrated into a simple financial model. The field results also supported the concept that a clinical education program was profitable, producing an $89 per day per student net benefit, even though therapists working with students spent less time in income-generating activities.