Leadership, administration, management, and professionalism (LAMP) in physical therapy: a Delphi study.
OBJECTIVE
The knowledge and skills needed by physical therapists entering practice in the areas of leadership, administration, management, and professionalism (LAMP) are not known. Using the LAMP components identified by American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Administration, this study sought to define the range of LAMP content pertinent to physical therapy clinical management and to explore LAMP knowledge and skills required of physical therapists upon entry into the profession.


METHODS
Thirty-four physical therapist managers participated in a Delphi study to (1) create a comprehensive list of defined LAMP components, (2) determine the perceived importance of each component in the management of clinical practices, and (3) identify the level of knowledge and skill for each component believed to be necessary for a new physical therapist graduate.


RESULTS
Respondents agreed that 178 items should be on the LAMP component list. They perceived that almost all LAMP components are important in the management of a clinical practice, and they indicated that new graduates needed moderate to extensive knowledge in 44% of them. They believed that new graduates needed no skill in 29% of the components, whereas they needed at least intermediate skill for 22% of them. Top-ranked component categories across the 3 scales (importance, knowledge, and skill) were communication, professional involvement and ethical practice, delegation and supervision, stress management, reimbursement sources, time management, and health care industry scanning.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a basis for further exploration of which LAMP components should be included in professional (entry-level) physical therapist curricula and which components should be learned after graduation.
Lopopolo
Rosalie B
RB
Department of Physical Therapy, Arcadia University, 450 S Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038, USA. lopopolo@arcadia.edu
Schafer
D Sue
DS
Nosse
Larry J
LJ
D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000592:standards*; D020399:Practice Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011364:Professional Practice