Skip to main content

2019_6_socialcap

Social capital is a new concept to physical therapist practice that has the potential to facilitate interprofessional and intraprofessional relationships. Personally, I think it is very exciting to see how ideas from sociology literature can make a difference for physical therapists and health care at large.

By definition social capital is the advantage created by a person’s location in a structure of relationships. It explains how people perform better because they are connected with others.1,2 The principles of social capital are at work in the health care environment when it comes to clinical practice, teamwork, and training, and can strengthen the development of interprofessional education. The three primary forms of social capital include broker, closed, and partner networks.

Log in or create a free account to keep reading.


Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.

  • Burt R. Brokerage & Closure: An Introduction to Social Capital. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press; 2013. 
  • Strategic leadership course. University of Chicago, Booth School of Business; Summer 2016; Chicago, IL.

You Might Also Like...

News

The Clock Is Ticking for Congress to Extend Medicare Telehealth Waivers

Sep 9, 2025

Congress must act by Sept. 30 to extend current telehealth access for PTs, PTAs, and other therapy providers.

News

Congress Investigating TRICARE Issues Amid Provider and Patient Disruptions

Sep 5, 2025

Congress is beginning to formally investigate ongoing issues with the TRICARE system that have affected health care providers and military families who

Article

New Study Reimagines the Relationship Between Daily Steps and Health Outcomes

Sep 3, 2025

For decades, 10,000 steps a day has been regarded as a near-universal benchmark for fitness and general health goals — often promoted by wearable fitness