Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the leadership frames of physiotherapy managers in Ireland. To be effective leaders in today's challenging healthcare environment ...physiotherapy managers must employ a comprehensive, adaptable and balanced leadership style. Design This was a purposive, cross-sectional study. Participants Physiotherapy managers were surveyed using the Bolman and Deal Leadership Orientations Index. Setting The survey was administered to members of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Management employment group (n = 73) of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists via Results Forty-five physiotherapy managers responded to the survey to give a response rate of 62%. The human resource frame was the most frequently used (61%) and the political frame was the least (9%). The majority of respondents reported using only one or no frames at all (65%). When asked about their effectiveness as a manager 33% of respondents (n = 14) gave themselves the top rating of 5, whereas 19% of respondents (n = 8) gave themselves the top rating for their leadership effectiveness. There was a statistically significant trend between the number of leadership frames a physiotherapy manager used and their perceived effectiveness as a manager (TJT = 380, z = 1.975, p = 0.048) and as a leader (TJT = 431, z = 3.245, p = 0.001). Conclusions The physiotherapy managers’ use of the human resource frame demonstrates that they see the building of relationships as key to effective leadership. Development of physiotherapy managers’ underused skills through appropriate leadership development training may enhance their leadership skill set and make them more confident as leaders.
This study investigated Nigerian physiotherapists’ perceived prestige of their profession relative to 11 selected occupations and how their perception was influenced by selected sociodemographics. A ...total of 368 copies of a questionnaire adapted from a previous study were sent to registered physiotherapists working in Nigeria as of May 2007. Data were analysed using Chi-square, Kendall’s
W, and multidimensional scaling analysis. Two hundred sixty copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned (70.7% response rate). Respondents included 161 men (62%) and 99 women (38%). Most of them (78.5%) were aged between 20 years and 39 years and were bachelor degree holders (67.2%). Physiotherapy was ranked second on level of education, third on usefulness to the society, fifth on level of responsibility, sixth on social standing, and seventh on income. Physiotherapy was rated fifth overall. The only sociodemographic variable that significantly influenced overall perceived occupational prestige of physiotherapy was type of workplace. Physiotherapists in Nigeria perceived their profession as having moderate occupational prestige, placing it in the fifth position below accountant, lawyer, doctor, and engineer. Physiotherapists in Nigeria need to work hard on improving the prestige standing of their profession.
A small qualitative study was carried out to identify and describe issues perceived to arise for physiotherapists from the introduction and expansion of musculoskeletal physiotherapy based in ...fundholding general practices and health centres in one health authority.
Five National Health Service physiotherapists each working in a general practice fundholding setting were interviewed. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed and analysed to develop coding categories. Findings were verified by a further structured interview with the same participants which clarified the coding categories and established the consistency of participants' views.
Three main themes emerged: the extrinsic influences on musculoskeletal physiotherapy in a general practice setting; the perceived uncertainties of practice in this new setting; and the responsibilities which the new context of practice entails. Although the findings of this small study must be regarded as preliminary, they highlight issues which would merit further discussion and consideration by the profession.
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