How physiotherapists acquire management skills as they transition into a managerial role

Abstract

Concern has been evidenced in the literature that there is not enough preparation for the management aspect of healthcare workers' roles in the NHS. Therefore, improving leadership and mangement in the NHS has been recommended. This article explores how physiotherapists acquire management skills from which recommendations for improvement are made. Semi-structured interviews obtained qualitative data from eight, purposively sampled physiotherapists. A constructivist grounded theory approach involving the constant comparative method of analysis was used to develop a theory that attempts to explain how physiotherapists acquire management skills. Findings suggest that management skill acquisition is a dynamic, complex, and flexible learning process. Combinations of experiences in tandem with facilitation from various support structures are used. Simultaneously, it is theorised that these are sorted and filtered via the practice of critical reflection. This seems to develop and refine the learning of management skills as physiotherapists transition from a clinical to managerial role. In addition, this may also assist physiotherapists to integrate their managerial role demands into their existing clinical workload. This may preserve professional identity, improve coping strategies, and enhance the ability to reflect towards active change and improvement during role transition.