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Utilization of Physical Therapy Personnel in One Hospital: A Work Sampling Study

1st Lt Domenech, USAF, is Chief, Physical Therapy Services, USAF Hospital, Tinker AFB, OK, 73145 (USA). This study was conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for his Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Dr. Payton is Professor and Director of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298.
Dr. Hill is Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of Physical Therapy, MCV Hospitals, School of Allied Health Professions, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Shukla is Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration, School of Allied Health Professions, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University.

The purpose of this study was to illustrate the adaptability and use of work sampling, an industrial engineering technique, as a dependable method for collecting personnel utilization data in the physical therapy department of a general hospital and to demonstrate the concept of work sampling to physical therapy supervisors and personnel unfamiliar with this approach. Over a six-week period, a total of 5,824 observations were made at randomly selected 15-minute intervals during the 40-hour work week. Percentages of total time used in observed activities for all physical therapy personnel were divided as follows: 1) direct care, 20.38 percent; 2) indirect care, 11.18 percent; 3) administration, 2.27 percent; 4) communication, 3.28 percent; 5) clerical, 9.56 percent; 6) personal time, 24.60 percent; and 7) out-of-department, 28.72 percent. Physical therapists were most likely to be involved in personal duties from 8 AM to 9 AM (35%) and from 4 PM to 4:30 PM (41%). They showed greatest productivity from 9 AM to 10 AM (59%) and spent time in out-of-department activities rather consistently throughout the day. A conclusion of this study was that work sampling may be used successfully to collect personnel utilization data in a physical therapy department.

Key Words: Personnel staffing • Physical therapy department, hospital

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