HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lopopolo, R. B Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lopopolo, R. B Related Collections Professional Issues Health Care Reform Health Care System Related Articles Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

The Effect of Hospital Restructuring on the Role of Physical Therapists in Acute Care

RB Lopopolo, MBA, PT, is Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Beaver College, 450 S Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038 (USA) (lopopolo@castle.beaver.edu).

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model describing the effect of hospital restructuring on the role of physical therapists working in an acute care hospital. Subjects and Methods. Organizational and role changes within a single physical therapy department undergoing restructuring were identified using a qualitative case study methodology. Data were gathered from semistructured interviews of four key informants, observations, and artifacts. A conceptual model and case study were developed from the themes that emerged from the data. Findings and Discussion. Role changes for physical therapists in patient care delivery included "being flexible," "being productive," "being responsible for the care of all patients," "focusing on patient discharge," and "using support staff." Roles changes in professional interaction included "sharing knowledge and information" and "helping, sharing, and coordination work." Implications for physical therapy are discussed.

Key Words: Clinical management • Hospital restructuring • Organizational change • Professional roles

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Related Articles

Translator, Please!

Jules M Rothstein
Physical Therapy 1997 77: 888-889. [Abstract] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. U. Jette, R. Brown, N. Collette, W. Friant, and L. Graves Physical Therapists' Management of Patients in the Acute Care Setting: An Observational Study Physical Therapy, November 1, 2009; 89(11): 1158 - 1181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. B Lopopolo The Relationship of Role-Related Variables to Job Satisfaction and Commitment to the Organization in a Restructured Hospital Environment Physical Therapy, October 1, 2002; 82(10): 984 - 999. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Blau, S. Bolus, T. Carolan, D. Kramer, E. Mahoney, D. U Jette, and J. A Beal The Experience of Providing Physical Therapy in a Changing Health Care Environment Physical Therapy, July 1, 2002; 82(7): 648 - 657. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A Miller and P. Solomon The Influence of a Move to Program Management on Physical Therapist Practice Physical Therapy, May 1, 2002; 82(5): 449 - 458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. B Lopopolo Development of the Professional Role Behaviors Survey (PROBES) Physical Therapy, July 1, 2001; 81(7): 1317 - 1327. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. B Lopopolo Hospital Restructuring and the Changing Nature of the Physical Therapist's Role Physical Therapy, February 1, 1999; 79(2): 171 - 185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]