Core course in leadership and management skills for allied health professionals

This article describes the two major purposes of a core course for allied health professionals developed at the University of North Carolina. The purposes of the course are to equip practitioners with practical skills necessary for effective management and to bridge the gap between didactic and clinical knowledge. Emphasizing leadership and management skills, the course has four major sections: Current Health Care Issues, Management and Administrative Skills and Issues, Professional Development Skills, and Clinical Education. Classroom formats, student assignments, and relevant readings are suggested, and participant reactions to the course are described.