Managing Delegation to Physiotherapy Assistants: Application of a Functional Analysis Model

Abstract

This paper addresses the need for systematic delegation of tasks to physiotherapy assistants. A model of delegation is presented that encapsulates the issues necessary to manage delegation in a system that is cost-beneficial without loss of quality. It is argued that task analysis is necessary to enable decisions to be made on whether subtasks are knowledge, rule or skill based and thus suitable for delegation. Following application of criteria to allocate tasks to personnel, cost-benefit analysis is used to consider whether the training investment is worth while. It is suggested that the working relationship and communication network between physiotherapist and assistant, with the arrangement of the working environment, will facilitate delegation and ensure that the patient receives appropriate care. This paper addresses the need for systematic delegation of tasks to physiotherapy assistants. A model of delegation is presented that encapsulates the issues necessary to manage delegation in a system that is cost-beneficial without loss of quality. It is argued that task analysis is necessary to enable decisions to be made on whether subtasks are knowledge, rule or skill based and thus suitable for delegation. Following application of criteria to allocate tasks to personnel, cost-benefit analysis is used to consider whether the training investment is worth while. It is suggested that the working relationship and communication network between physiotherapist and assistant, with the arrangement of the working environment, will facilitate delegation and ensure that the patient receives appropriate care.