Physical therapy programs depend on clinical sites to prepare students for real-world practice, but those partnerships are becoming harder to sustain as demand grows. The challenge isn't just filling slots but keeping sites engaged year after year.
This doesn't come from paperwork or placement logistics. It comes from people: the trust, dialogue and shared investment that make a partnership last.
That insight drives the approach at Access PT, where President Shannon Albanese has spent years developing clinical education relationships grounded in trust, open dialogue and a shared commitment to student development.
Programs that hope to keep clinical sites engaged and willing to welcome students year after year need to think beyond placement logistics.
According to Albanese, the strongest partnerships are rooted in communication, culture and respect for the bidirectional nature of teaching and learning in a clinical setting.
Why Clinical Instructors Stay Engaged in Teaching Physical Therapy Students
At Access PT, clinicians don't see taking students as an obligation but as growth. "Teaching a student helps the clinical instructor (CI) learn too," Albanese said. "It's a two-way learning process."
That experience is backed by research. A 2020 study published in Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal found that physical therapists in outpatient settings were more productive when working with students, particularly in orthopedic and rehabilitation clinics. The researchers concluded that student involvement can enhance efficiency, not hinder it.
For first-time clinical instructors, some hesitation is natural — taking on a student can feel daunting at first. But the long-term value is hard to ignore. “In more than 20 years, I don’t think anyone has come to me and said, ‘I never want to do that again,’” Albanese said. “In fact, it often ends up being really rewarding.”
Why Transparent Communication Between PT Programs and Clinical Sites Matters
While many partnerships run smoothly, Albanese says one of the fastest ways to lose a site's confidence is by withholding key information about a student.
"If a student has struggled academically, or on a previous rotation, and the program doesn’t share that upfront, it can create real problems," she said. "We've had experiences where a student had major attendance issues, and we had no idea until they showed up."
That lack of transparency doesn't just affect one rotation. It can make the CI hesitant to accept students from that program in the future, compounding the problem.
On the flip side, when directors of clinical education (DCEs) are proactive and candid, clinics can place students in supportive environments and prepare their teams accordingly. "It sets everyone up for success," Albanese said.
How Physical Therapy Programs Can Strengthen Relationships with Clinical Sites
Some programs treat clinic placements like transactions: send the form, match the student, and move on. But the most effective partnerships are built on real relationships.
"The programs that visit our clinics, participate in mock interviews or involve our teams in events — that matters," Albanese said. "It builds rapport."
She noted that programs located near their clinical sites often have stronger relationships because of proximity, but it's not just about geography. Intentionality makes the difference.
There's also a powerful incentive among alumni. "When the CI went to the same school, they're more likely to say yes," she said. "That connection makes them want to give back."
Preparing PT Students for Real-World Clinical Practice
One of the most overlooked factors in student success is their ability to integrate into the clinic environment.
"Students aren't just learning from their CI. They're learning from everyone: front desk staff, techs, PTAs," Albanese said. "They need to understand how to work in a team and be flexible."
She emphasized the importance of students developing adaptability, initiative and independent thinking. During her time in clinic leadership, she encouraged students to bring two possible solutions to every problem rather than expecting answers.
"You're helping them grow into professionals who can think critically, not just complete tasks," she said.
Key Traits of Strong PT Program and Clinical Site Partnerships
When asked what an ideal PT program-clinic partnership looks like, Albanese pointed to one word: communication.
"The DCEs I trust most are the ones who aren't afraid to give feedback," she said. That feedback is both constructive and collaborative, whether it's a student comment that raised a flag or an opportunity to improve coordination.
These strong relationships also make it easier to navigate unexpected situations, such as last-minute placement changes or student emergencies. "When that trust is there, it makes everything easier," Albanese said. "It makes the therapist more willing to take students. It makes my job easier. And it benefits the students, too."
To Build Long-Term Clinical Partnerships, PT Programs Must Prioritize Relationships
If PT programs want reliable, engaged clinical sites, they need to invest in the relationship. That means being transparent about student needs, proactive in communication, and committed to supporting both learners and clinical educators.
"These partnerships are about more than scheduling," Albanese said. "They're about trust, collaboration and working together to develop the next generation of clinicians."