STUDENT-CENTERED LEADERSHIP IN PHYSIOTHERAPY: SHIFTING THE PARADIGM FROM ADMINISTRATION TO IMPACT

Abstract

Over the past decade, rehabilitation services have increasingly shifted from a traditional top-down administrative approach to a patient-centered model of clinical leadership. Rather than evaluating decisions primarily on the basis of operational efficiency or billable services, patient-centered leadership prioritizes patient recovery, health equity, quality of care, and overall well-being. This approach recognizes patients as active partners in the rehabilitation process and encourages leadership practices that align organizational goals with improved clinical outcomes. Within the context of physiotherapy, patient-centered leadership emphasizes collaborative decision-making, interdisciplinary teamwork, and responsive service delivery that addresses individual patient needs. This chapter explores the principles and practices of patient-centered leadership in physiotherapy and provides practical strategies for rehabilitation managers and clinical directors seeking to implement this model in their organizations. Key recommendations include strengthening shared decision-making by incorporating the patient voice into care planning, promoting distributed leadership among multidisciplinary clinical teams, and adopting an asset-based approach to support continuous quality improvement. Furthermore, the chapter argues that successful organizational transformation requires clinical administrators to become lead learners who foster innovation, collaboration, and evidence-informed practice. By bridging administrative responsibilities with clinical expertise, leaders can cultivate a patient-centered culture that enhances healthcare quality, improves patient experiences, and achieves better rehabilitation outcomes while ensuring equitable and sustainable physiotherapy services.