PTR 710 - Business and Management for Physical Therapists

This course prepares the student for administration and management roles in physical therapy. Emphasis is on interpersonal interactions with health care professionals and effectively applying concepts, theories and principles of leadership and management in the provision of physical therapy services. Strategies to manage human resources effectively are examined, including: feedback (performance appraisal process), recruitment, retention, empowerment/delegation, time management, conflict resolution, motivation, teambuilding and mentoring/coaching. Analysis of financial planning, budgeting and reimbursement methods, continuous quality improvement (CQI) and marketing strategies in physical therapy are integral topics threaded throughout this course. Students are expected to systematically identify common problems in the workplace and work on resolutions. Special consideration will be given to developing good interpersonal relationship and communication skills and effective group process. Learning strategies are primarily experiential and include real-world challenges, the use of simulation/role-playing and case studies. The student is prepared for the administrative role in physical therapy. Emphasis is on applying management strategies and tactics in authentic and simulated situations. Students are expected to systematically identify common problems in the workplace and assess and apply (whenever possible) resolutions. An understanding of individual interpersonal styles and how each style interacts with others is built enhances the leadership development process undertaken in this course. Management topics addressed include: planning & organizing, directing & controlling, financial management (i.e., budgeting), quality assurance, and marketing. Effective human resource management strategies are analyzed, including: selection interviewing, coaching & feedback, professional development, motivation, teambuilding, and conflict resolution.

Credits: 5