The CPTA's College Conversations: Recent Episodes

College of Physiotherapists Alberta

Ever wish you had a friend at the College that you could call when you have questions about the standards of practice or challenging situations you encounter in practice?

In this friendly and informative podcast, the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s staff and guests will highlight issues of regulatory importance and answer common questions about the standards of practice.

Got questions? We have answers! We can help you navigate the challenges of physiotherapy practice.

Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Leanne and Sean revisit the rules for use of title and why those rules are important for physiotherapists, patients, and the public.

The conversation explains who may use protected titles such as Physiotherapist, Physical Therapist, Physiotherapist Intern, and PT, and highlights why a physiotherapist's registration status matters—whether a registrant is entering practice, on leave, or retiring. They also discuss how physiotherapists should list academic credentials and additional training in a way that is accurate, transparent, and meaningful to patients.

The episode reviews common questions about terms such as Clinical Specialist, acupuncturist, osteopath, doctor, clinical Pilates, and advanced practice, highlighting the importance of avoiding language that misleads or implies a credential or specialization the physiotherapist does not hold. Listeners are reminded to use their protected title, place it before other credentials, and explain their additional training clearly and transparently. Most of all physiotherapists are encouraged to be proud of the professional title they worked hard to earn.

Resources

· Titles, Credentials and Specialty Designations

· Getting Titles Right Infographic

Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Leanne and Sean discuss key changes connected to physiotherapists being designated as custodians under Alberta's Health Information Act, which took effect on June 22, 2026. The conversation focuses on three important concepts physiotherapists need to understand as they transition to HIA compliance: verbal consent for disclosure of health information, the requirement to develop privacy management programs, and the need to designate successor custodians of health information.

The episode explains when client consent is required for disclosure of health information, what content must be included in consent, and the documentation and identity verification requirements that apply when verbal consent is accepted.

Leanne and Sean also explore privacy management programs, emphasizing that policies and procedures must be supported by training, monitoring, and updates as privacy risks and practice arrangements change.

Listeners will hear practical discussion about the implications of being a custodian of health information under the Act and learn about the concept of 'sharing custodians' and requirements related to shared custody of health information.

The episode closes with a discussion of successor custodian requirements, including proactive planning for retirement, relocation, illness, or incapacity.

Call to action: Physiotherapists need to know their role, understand their responsibilities, and act now to support long-term legislative compliance and protection of health information.

Resources

· Privacy Resources

· Privacy Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

· HIA Policies and Procedures for Alberta Physiotherapist Custodians

· Health Information Act and Health Information Regulation

· Government of Alberta HIA Fact Sheets

Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

Privacy can feel complicated, but this episode makes it practical. Leanne and Jody break privacy basics into clear, manageable actions that can help physiotherapists strengthen client privacy in any practice setting. If you have ever wondered where to start, this conversation will help you focus on key privacy domains and four priority action areas:

· Review or build privacy policies and procedures so you and your colleagues know how personal information is to be collected, handled, protected, and ultimately destroyed within your practice setting, in accordance with your professional duties and responsibilities.

· Make sure your process for access and amendment requests is clear, and understood by everyone in the practice setting.

· Check that your collection statement is accurate, easy to find, and tells clients what to expect.

· Complete or review privacy impact assessments for the systems and tools you use, from EMRs to AI scribes and virtual care platforms.

Whether you are refreshing your privacy practices or tackling these responsibilities for the first time, this episode offers useful reminders, practical prompts, and a motivating push to take action now. Tune in for a helpful conversation that turns privacy expectations into real-world next steps.

Resources

· Privacy Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

· Privacy and Record Retention Standard of Practice

Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

In this episode we revisit the topic of restricted activities in physiotherapy, bringing together key messages and practical clarifications to address some of the most common questions from registrants.

The episode begins with an overview of the legislative framework that governs restricted activities, including how the Health Professions Act, the Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation, and the Performance of Restricted Activities Standard of Practice together establish regulatory requirements for the performance of these high-risk activities. Jody and Leanne unpack "who can do what," outlining the seven restricted activities authorized to the physiotherapy profession and clearly distinguishing between activities automatically authorized to physiotherapists and those requiring individual authorization.

Listeners will also hear detailed discussion about authorization, supervision, and education, including what restricted activities physiotherapist interns may perform, supervision requirements for physiotherapists on the General Register when learning restricted activities, and why supervision must be provided by an authorized physiotherapist. The episode closes with an important focus on competence and competence maintenance, encouraging physiotherapists to reflect on how they develop, maintain, and demonstrate competence over time.

If you have questions about restricted activities in physiotherapy practice or are considering learning a restricted activity, this episode is for you!

Resources:

· Performance of Restricted Activities Standard of Practice

· Health Professions Restricted Activities Regulation

· Health Professions Act

· Restricted Activities

Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode of College Conversations, Leanne and Sean continue their discussion of the most common questions received by the College's Practice Advisor in 2025, focusing on three key themes: Funding, Fees, and Billing; Continuing Competence; and Duty of Care.

The conversation begins with Funding, Fees, and Billing, including questions about contracts, billing practices, fee schedules, and recent changes to the Standards that enable bundled and pre‑paid services, when specific conditions are met.

Next, the episode explores practice advice questions related to the Continuing Competence Standard, with a focus on questions about the profession's scope of practice and physiotherapist individual competence. Sean and Leanne highlight the questions received regarding emerging practices, developing competence in a new area of practice, and the requirements that must be met for a service to be considered physiotherapy.

Finally, the discussion turns to Duty of Care, addressing questions about discontinuing services, continuity of care, and managing abusive client situations.

The episode concludes with a reminder that the Practice Advisor is available to support physiotherapists with practice-related questions.

Resources:

· Funding, Fees, and Billing Standard of Practice

· Episode 4: Is it Physiotherapy?

· Episode 30: Scope of Practice and Pandemic Redeployment – Is it Physiotherapy?

· Managing Challenging Situations Guide

· Good Practice: Challenging Situations

· Good Practice: Preparing For Challenging Therapeutic Relationships

· Good Practice: Discharging Patients

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode of College Conversations, Leanne and Sean kick off a two-part series exploring the most common questions received by the College's Practice Advisor. Drawing on an aggregate review of 2025 inquiries, they explain how tracking and coding questions to the Standards of Practice helps identify trends, inform the development of College resources, and guide future updates to the Standards of Practice.

Part 1 focuses on two of the top five recurring themes addressed by the Practice Advisor: privacy and supervision. The discussion on privacy highlights clients' legal right to access their health records, acceptable timelines for responding to requests, and appropriate fees for chart copies under Alberta legislation. Leanne and Sean also address when disclosure of private information without consent may occur - such as mandatory reporting or situations involving imminent risk of serious harm - and outline ongoing responsibilities for secure record storage, access, and destruction.

The episode then turns to supervision, particularly the assignment of services to physiotherapist support workers (PTSWs) and supervision of PT Interns. Key responsibilities, accountabilities, and common pitfalls are reviewed, emphasizing the requirement to assess the competence of the PTSW, role clarity, and patient safety.

Sean and Leanne also highlight the many College resources available at cpta.ab.ca and encourage listeners to contact the College when questions arise.

Resources:

· Good Practice: 5 Important Points about Client Access to Chart Records

· Privacy and Record Retention Standard of Practice

· Working With Physiotherapist Support Workers eLearning Module

· Supervision of Physiotherapist Support Workers Guide

· Supervision Standard of Practice

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

From time to time, conflicts and challenging situations may arise between physiotherapists and their clients, which may lead the physiotherapist to consider declining to continue to provide services to the client. These situations exist on a continuum from the slightly challenging to the potentially dangerous. The 2025 Duty of Care Standard codifies professional expectations that have been in place for a long time.

In this bonus episode we revisit an episode we first shared back in 2021, highlighting the physiotherapist's duties if they are opting to decline services for a client who still needs treatment.

Jody and Leanne discuss a range of situations that can lead a physiotherapist to discontinue physiotherapy and the expectations that apply to those situations. When is it ok for a physiotherapist to decline services to a client? Listen to this episode to find out.

Resources:

· Duty of Care Standard of Practice

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Leanne and Jody explore the governance role of Council and how it supports the College's legislated mandate to protect the public interest. Jody explains the College's responsibilities under the Health Professions Act, including setting entrance standards, ensuring continuing competence, establishing standards of practice, and addressing unprofessional conduct. Council oversees this work by setting the College's strategic direction, providing financial and risk oversight, and monitoring regulatory processes to ensure alignment with legislated public‑interest obligations. They also clarify the distinction between governance and operations — Council 'steers' the boat that is the College while staff 'row' — and discuss how the College evaluates whether issues fall within its jurisdiction. The episode highlights the shift from elections to competency‑based Council appointments, aimed at strengthening public representation and reducing representational governance.

Towards the end of the episode, Jody outlines the annual recruitment process for physiotherapist Council members, including the Council competency matrix, identification of skill gaps, application reviews, and interviews. The episode closes with a call for physiotherapists interested in governance and public protection to consider submitting an expression of interest to serve as a Council member.

Resources:

· Council Appointment Information

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In this, the 80th episode of the CPTA's College conversations, Leanne and Jody reflect on the College's major activities in 2025 and share a preview of what we are anticipating in 2026.

2025 Highlights:

Implementation of updated Standards of Practice in January 2025 and the related jurisprudence module which registrants completed at registration or renewal.
Updated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct (SASM) module required for all registrants.
Ongoing focus on professional conduct, with higher-than-hoped complaint numbers and related budget impact.

2026 Preview:

Launch of the new Canadian Physiotherapy Examination, featuring written and oral components on the same day—ending the two-stage format, and the implications of this change for initial registration with the College and transition into practice.
The growing influence of artificial intelligence in physiotherapy, including concerns about deskilling and the importance of maintaining critical thinking.
Pending legislative changes: auto insurance (Care First Model), freedom of speech protections for regulated professionals, and possible privacy legislation updates.

Tune in to this episode to hear the details and stay tuned for more in the months ahead. It should be another eventful year!

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode, Sean and Leanne dive into how artificial intelligence is popping up in physiotherapy—from chatbots for booking and billing tasks and scribe tools for clinical documentation to robotics - and the regulatory considerations to keep in mind. With the explosion of AI tools, physiotherapists may look at options that help them in their work. Before implementing an AI tool there are a few things to know about doing so in a way that's consistent with the Standards of Practice and regulatory requirements.

We unpack the privacy laws you need to know (think the Personal Information Protection Act, Health Information Act and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), the current status of proposed AI regulation, and why it's crucial to keep up with changing legislation. Sean reminds us: even if your workplace picks the AI tool, you're responsible for your compliance with the standards and relevant legislation, which means that you need to do your due diligence to be sure you are using an AI tool appropriately.

Transparency is key — clients should always know if AI is involved in their care, and that they can say "no thanks" at any time.

Watch out for bias in the AI tools you use, keep your clinical skills sharp, and don't let reliance on AI tools lead to a loss of skills. We discuss cybersecurity and even the environmental impact of AI data centers.

Bottom line? Stay informed about new developments in AI and always put your clients first. Remember, AI is meant to support your expertise, not replace it.

Resources:

• Artificial Intelligence Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

"Vestibular physiotherapist', 'sports physiotherapist', 'advanced practice physiotherapist', 'performance physiotherapist…' On this episode, we ask what's wrong with being 'just' a physiotherapist?

In this conversation, we review the requirements of the Titles, Credentials and Specialty Designations Standard of Practice, highlighting the importance of clarity and transparency when communicating with clients, potential clients and members of the public. We also discuss the technological disruptions that are currently effecting physiotherapy practice and the risks that unscrupulous unregulated individuals pose to clients, when they use AI or Virtual Care platforms to masquerade as registered physiotherapists.

We end with clear calls to action for all physiotherapists to

· use their protected title in their interactions with clients and the public at large, and

· inform the public about what it means to be a regulated health professional and how to check the registration status of anyone providing the client with health services.

Want to hear more? Check out this episode!

Resources:

· Titles, Credentials and Specialty Designations Standard of Practice

· Virtual Care Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

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Hosts: Leanne Loranger & Sean FitzGerald Date: October 1, 2025

Description: In this episode, Leanne and Sean dive deep into the realities of conflict of interest (COI) in physiotherapy practice. They explore how COI isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how your actions are perceived by others. Drawing on real-world scenarios from private practice, public sector, and clinical education, they unpack the concept of fiduciary duty, different types of conflicts (actual, potential, perceived), and why recognizing even perceived conflicts is crucial for ethical practice.

Key Topics:

What is a conflict of interest, and why does it matter?
Fiduciary duty: What it means for physiotherapists.
Common conflict of interest scenarios: Fee discrepancies, incentive contracts, self-referrals, and providing physiotherapy services for friends or family.

Call to Action: Reflect on your practice: Where might your judgment be influenced by personal interests or competing duties?

Listen in for practical advice, honest discussion, and actionable steps to navigate COI in your day-to-day work as a physiotherapist.

Resources:

· 2022 College-Selected Activity: Professionalism

· Code of Ethical Conduct

· Core Professional Values

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

On this episode of the College Conversations podcast, Jody and Leanne discuss the Code of Ethical Conduct and the Core Professional Values and how these foundational documents can help guide physiotherapist actions when the Standards do not specifically address a situation. Jody and Leanne discuss two common situations where being a regulated physiotherapist means fulfilling responsibilities to peers and the profession as a whole. The Code of Ethical Conduct includes responsibilities to the patient, the public, and to self and the profession. Being a regulated health professional means being responsible and accountable for one’s actions when providing physiotherapy services or using professional title. Listen to this episode to find out more.

Resources:

2022 College-Selected Activity: Professionalism
Code of Ethical Conduct
Core Professional Values

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

Every other year World Physiotherapy hosts a conference to bring together clinicians, researchers, and policy makers from around the world to discuss matters of importance to the physiotherapy profession. At the conference in May 2025, a wide range of content was presented.

Several themes of regulatory importance emerged, including

· Mental health and physiotherapy

· Artificial intelligence and big data

· Advance practice/first contact physiotherapy

· Spinal manipulation in infants, children, and youth

In this episode Jody and Leanne discuss these themes, what we heard, and the connection between what was heard and the regulatory and practice context of Alberta.

Tune in to this episode to learn more!

Resources:

Is it Physiotherapy?

· Good Practice – What Makes It Physiotherapy? https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/good-practice-what-makes-it-physiotherapy/

Spinal manipulation reference materials

· https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12887-022-03781-6

· https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10669817.2024.2332026#abstract

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

Can a physiotherapist order a bone scan? What about a protein-rich-plasma injection?

Is there a difference between ordering interventional radiology and referring a client to a physician to see if an interventional radiology procedure is appropriate?

Do you wonder what fits within the category of interventional radiology and how that compares to the types of diagnostic images that physiotherapists can become authorized to order?

On this episode of College Conversations, Sean and Leanne discuss some of the questions we have received and issues the College has identified in relation to interventional radiology procedures.

What are the physiotherapist’s responsibilities and what should they consider if they think one of their patients could benefit from an interventional radiology procedure? Tune in to this episode to learn more!

Resources:

· Scope of Practice Infographic: https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/physiotherapy-scope-of-practice-in-alberta/

· Good Practice – Reminders about Restricted Activities and Scope of Practice: https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/good-practice-reminders-regarding-restricted-activities-scope-of-practice/

· Referral for Physician Consultation Guideline: https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/practice-guideline-referring-for-physician-consultation/

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In the private sector, physiotherapists are always trying to find ways to market the services they provide and explain what they can offer to their clients. One approach that the College has observed is the practice of referring to a physiotherapist’s practice focus or area of interest.

On this episode, Sean and Leanne discuss performance expectations that apply to the use of these marketing approaches, and the College’s perspective on the use of these strategies.

Do you have a practice focus? What about an area of interest? Can you demonstrate that through the patient populations you serve and conditions you treat? What about through the continuing education courses and other continuing professional development you have participated in?

Do you know what’s expected if you want to advertise that you have a practice focus or area of interest? Listen to this episode to make sure you do!

Resources:

· Advertising and Marketing Standard of Practice: https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/advertising/

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In 2025 the College added performance expectations to the Standards of Practice related to how physiotherapists interact with colleagues, students, and others. These expectations are especially relevant to the people a physiotherapist supervises or has authority over. Does it go without saying that physiotherapists treat others with respect and are thoughtful about power and power imbalances? Some may argue that this type of expectation is, or should be, unnecessary, however research and surveys of Alberta physiotherapists suggest otherwise.

In this episode, Leanne and Sean discuss the performance expectations. They highlight the reasons the College established the requirements, and efforts to set performance expectations that meet the Goldilocks threshold of being ‘just right.’

How do performance expectations about how a physiotherapist interacts with colleagues serve the public interest? Listen to this episode to learn more.

Resources:

· Boundary Violations Standard of Practice: https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/professional-boundaries/

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In 2025 a new standard of practice related to virtual care by Alberta physiotherapists came into effect. On this episode, Sean and Leanne discuss the history and evolution of the regulation of virtual care by the CPTA and the expectations physiotherapists need to meet when providing virtual physiotherapy services. They highlight the resources available to help physiotherapists understand what is required when providing virtual care, including the Virtual Care Guide published in 2025.

Much has changed in the virtual health care sector since the College’s original Telerehabilitation Guide was published in 2018, for example in terms of the number of physiotherapists providing virtual care, the profession’s collective level of experience with use of virtual care, and the different models and applications of virtual care used by physiotherapists. Both physiotherapists and physiotherapy regulatory organizations have become more experienced and knowledgeable in how virtual care can be used to deliver physiotherapy services and as a result regulation and our guidance to registrants about virtual care in physiotherapy practice has evolved.

Despite the changing virtual care environment, one thing remains constant: the expectations for physiotherapy service delivery using virtual care technologies, in terms of quality, safety, and effectiveness, are no different than those for in-person services. Listen to this episode to learn more about virtual physiotherapy services and how you can achieve this objective!

Resources:

· Virtual Care Standard of Practice - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/virtual-care/

· Virtual Care Guide - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/virtual-care-guide/

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

Up to date member profile information matters for physiotherapists because it can:

· Help to prevent the physiotherapist’s registration number from being used to fraudulently bill for services the physiotherapist did not provide.

· Help to ensure a former most responsible physiotherapist is not held responsible for issues related to physiotherapy services delivered after they have left a practice setting.

· Help to connect former patients to physiotherapists who have moved to a new practice setting.

There are a few things that all registrants should know about their member profile information and how it is used.

Did you know that member profile information is reported to the public via the College’s website? Did you know anonymous data is reported to the Canadian Institute of Health Information? The data is used so that members of the public can understand a physiotherapist’s registration status, and so that governments can assess the health of the physiotherapist workforce and plan for the future.

Did you know that if your demographic or employment information changes at any time during the year, you must update your information?

In 2025, the information collected by the College via your member profile will be changing. Listen to this episode to learn more about the information we collect, how that will change in 2025, and the reasons for those changes.

Resources:

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/maintain-your-information/

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

Evidence-informed practice is foundational to physiotherapy practice. As a profession, physiotherapists take pride in the fact that physiotherapy is an evidence-informed profession. When the new Evidence-Informed Practice Standard of Practice were implemented on January 1, 2025, new performance expectations came into effect which physiotherapists must be aware of.

Do you know what’s expected of you when it comes to monitoring the aggregate outcomes you achieve with the use of different treatment approaches, and how to use that clinician evidence in practice?

Do you know what’s expected when adopting new treatment techniques, including expectations for understanding regulatory requirements relevant to the new technique, and requirement to critically appraise published research about the technique?

Listen to this episode to learn more!

Resources:

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

On this episode of College Conversations, Jody and Leanne take stock of the year that was and discuss what’s coming our way in 2025.

Looking back at 2024, two major themes immediately come to mind. One is the ongoing work to address sexual abuse and sexual misconduct in physiotherapy practice. The other is the work to implement the 2025 Standards of Practice.

Listen in to hear a recap of the College’s work to address sexual abuse and sexual misconduct trends. You will also hear about a new resource that will be available in January 2025 to support physiotherapists’ understanding of professional requirements related to sexual abuse and sexual misconduct.

In the second half of the podcast, you’ll hear all about the implementation of the 2025 standards of practice and the upcoming release of the 2025 jurisprudence module.

Listen in to be among the first to hear about the 2025 College-Selected Activity and other practice permit renewal requirements!

Resources:

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/alarming-professional-conduct-trends-physiotherapists-we-have-a-problem/

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/words-matter-comments-sexual-misconduct/

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/courses/patient-centered-communication/

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/courses/informed-consent-module/

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/consent-guide/

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/therapeutic-relationships-guide/

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/managing-challenging-situations-guide/

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

On January 1, 2025, updated standards of practice for Alberta physiotherapists take effect. The updated Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Standard of Practice includes the requirement to engage in appropriate assessment, which includes taking a history and completing a physical examination relevant to the client’s presenting symptoms.

A physiotherapy assessment is an iterative process. What constitutes an appropriate assessment is determined by the client’s presentation; their concerns, problems, and goals; and the findings of the assessment as it progresses. The purpose of assessment is to determine what the client needs and what services the physiotherapist can offer to address those needs. Appropriate assessment is not determined by the programs or service types a physiotherapist offers, nor is it determined by the mechanism by which the physiotherapist starts the assessment process, whether that’s in-person or virtual.

Listen to this episode to understand how the expectations for appropriate assessment apply to physiotherapy services delivered using virtual platforms or via a group program, and why the College included specific wording about taking a history and completing a physical examination in the revised standard of practice.

Resources:

• Standards of Practice for Alberta Physiotherapists (2025).

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

On this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the new Health Equity and Anti-Discrimination and Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility standards of practice and the recently published Indigenous Cultural Safety, Health Equity, and Anti-Discrimination guide.

Over the last four years, the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta has been on a learning journey. We began our work in response to two key events, the publication of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the events of the summer of 2020, including the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

In October 2024 the College announced that updated standards of practice have been approved and take effect on January 1, 2025, including the Health Equity and Anti-Discrimination and the Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility standards. On September 30, 2024, the College also published the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Health Equity, and Anti-Discrimination guide which provides additional information to help physiotherapists implement the standards in their practice and understand the steps they can take to fulfill the performance expectations found in the standard.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about the standards, the guide and the work the College has undertaken since 2020.

Resources:

· Indigenous Cultural Safety, Health Equity, & Anti-Discrimination Guide. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/indigenous-cultural-safety-health-equity-anti-discrimination-guide/

· Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

· In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care. https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/613/2020/11/In-Plain-Sight-Summary-Report.pdf

· National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

· Standards of Practice for Physiotherapists in Alberta (2025): https://www.cpta.ab.ca/docs/272/_CombinedStandards.pdf

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

At their September meeting, Council voted to approve the updated Standards of Practice for Alberta Physiotherapists. These updated standards will be in effect as of January 1, 2025. On this episode of College Conversations, Jody and Leanne provide listeners with an update about the Standards of Practice including:

· The process the College used to develop standards that were right-touch and risk-based (and what those terms mean to regulators), and

· Highlights of the major changes, including standards that are being retired and new standards added.

It is up to each physiotherapist to meet the performance expectations established in the standards. Being unaware of the standards of practice is not an acceptable explanation if a professional conduct matter arises related to your practice.

The revised Standards will be available on the College’s website in November 2024 and will take effect on January 1, 2025.

As that date approaches, Alberta physiotherapists are encouraged to review the standards to make sure they understand what is required of them. If you do not understand the performance expectations, check the College’s website, or contact the College’s Practice Advisor for more information.

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

On this episode of College Conversations, Jody and Leanne ask Alberta physiotherapists ‘are you engaged in a risky business?’ Listen to the episode to learn more about risky business arrangements that the College has become aware of in recent years.

What does it mean to put the client’s interests first? How can physiotherapists identify and avoid conflicts of interest in which their own financial or personal interests are prioritized ahead of the client’s interests? How does this discussion relate to the rules in place related to provision of professional services and the role of the most responsible physiotherapist?

Listen to the episode for answers to these questions and more.

Resources:

· Good Practice: Is your business keeping your client’s best interests at heart?

· Good Practice: What makes it physiotherapy?

· AHPRA: Concerns raised over emerging models of care.

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Over the last couple of years, there has been a steady increase in the public discourse about artificial intelligence or AI. Since the release of the generative AI tool ChatGPT4 in spring of 2023 we have seen the emergence of AI tools designed to support charting of health care services and platforms to support clinical decision making in health care, including those designed for or applicable to physiotherapy practice.

What does this all mean for Alberta physiotherapists? Can physiotherapists use AI in clinical practice? What are the risks they should be aware of? Check out this episode to learn more about regulatory considerations of consent, privacy, quality and accuracy; and the physiotherapist’s responsibilities if they choose to use AI tools in their practice.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the hype about these tools, physiotherapists need to take the time to understand the AI tools they use and what they do and don’t offer.

Resources:

·

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Speakers: Amanda Gould and Leanne Loranger

Amanda Gould, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, and Cultural Advisor to the College joins Leanne on this special, extended episode, of College Conversations. We discuss the sharing circles the College engaged in earlier this year, bringing Indigenous people and physiotherapists together, and the key learnings that arose from the sharing circles.

Listen to this episode to learn more about what sharing circles are, what the College learned from the sharing circles held in early 2024, and the College’s next steps towards addressing Indigenous cultural safety and health equity.

Resources:

·

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Sean and Leanne discuss video recording in physiotherapy practice settings, including video surveillance, generating recordings of virtual visits, and creating videos of patient instructions or home exercise programs as part of in-person visits.

Physiotherapists usually provide lots of information to clients, and there can be benefits to providing video summaries of information. However, physiotherapists need to consider the privacy, record keeping, and consent issues that arise if they create videos in their practice settings and take steps to proactively address these issues.

Physiotherapists should also consider the potential that a client may record a clinical interaction, either with their knowledge and consent or not.

Resources:

· Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. Video Surveillance in the Private Sector.

· Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Programs.

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

Physiotherapists adhere to the legislation that applies to their practice. That responsibility is enshrined in the Code of Ethical Conduct. But what legislation, exactly, is included when we say that?

In this episode, Jody and Leanne review some of the often-overlooked legislation that applies to practice and its relevance to physiotherapists, including the:

· Radiation Protection Act

· Protection for Persons in Care Act

· Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act

· Occupational Health and Safety Act, and

· Public Health Act

We begin with a discussion of the Radiation Protection Act, which was repealed in 2021, and the legislation established in its place to regulate lasers.

Later in the episode, we discuss the practice setting inspections enabled by the Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health Acts. Are you aware that inspectors have the legislated authority under both Acts to perform practice site inspections? What can we learn from physiotherapists who have had their practice settings inspected?

What are our legislated responsibilities as physiotherapists? Listen to this episode to learn more!

Resources:

· Legislation related to Practice – CPTA. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/legislation-related-to-practice/

· Occupational Health and Safety Act Act https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/sa-2020-c-o-2.2/latest/sa-2020-c-o-2.2.html

· Public Health Act https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/rsa-2000-c-p-37/latest/rsa-2000-c-p-37.html#Part_2_Administration_32475

· IPC Guide CPTA - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/docs/67/IPC_Guide-Revised_Human_Rights_11.30.23.pdf

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

“A bystander is a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.” What does bystander intervention mean and why does bystander intervention matter for physiotherapists?

In late 2023 and early 2024, the College highlighted trends in allegations of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct received by the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. One of the College’s messages is that we need the help of all physiotherapists to disrupt these trends by intervening when they see conduct that is either clearly sexual misconduct or is tipping in the direction of becoming inappropriate. Further, the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethical Conduct call upon physiotherapists to act when they observe others acting in a racist or discriminatory manner towards others.

In short, physiotherapists need to shift from witness to intervenor when they observe an incident or conduct in the practice setting that is not consistent with professional norms and expectations. In this podcast we discuss highlights and take away messages from the February 2024 Introduction to Bystander Intervention webinar the College hosted with the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

Do you know the 4Ds of bystander intervention and how to apply them? Check out this episode to learn more!

Resources:

· Webinar: https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/webinars/an-introduction-to-bystander-intervention/

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

When you think about the College’s past messaging about its role – that it exists to safeguard and serve the public interest and receives its mandate from the Government of Alberta, on some level it’s understandable that physiotherapists might ask, “if that’s the case, why am I footing the bill?”

In this conversation, Jody and Leanne address the age-old question of “what’s in it for me?” when it comes to regulation. Along the way, they discuss the contract that exists between government and regulated health professionals, different regulatory models, and the concept of co-regulation. They touch on the benefits physiotherapists gain through regulation and what could potentially occur if the profession was not regulated.

Being a regulated health professional offers benefits but it also demands that we work to continually raise the bar for ourselves and those around us. Albertans deserve a physiotherapy profession that is accountable and that serves the public’s interests.

Listen to this episode to learn more about the benefits and obligations of being a regulated health professional.

Resources:

· Webinar: What does it mean to be a member of a self-regulating profession in 2021?

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

All physiotherapists need a basic awareness of the rules of practice and professional expectations for physiotherapists in Alberta. The College uses many tools to get that information into your hands, to make you aware of and help you understand and meet your regulatory responsibilities. You can’t fulfill a responsibility if you don’t know about it or don’t understand what it means, but we need you to meet us halfway,

At the end of 2023, the College engaged in a review of its communications practices. In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the findings of the communications review and actions the College is planning to address the feedback received and to try to make our communication efforts more effective. If you have ever asked yourself why the College spends time and resources on communications, or wondered what resources are available to help physiotherapists understand the rules of practice, this episode is for you.

Listen to the episode to learn more about the resources the College creates, the feedback received during the review, and some of the changes we are working on.

Resources:

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

The Consent Standard of Practice and Consent Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists both refer to the importance of ensuring that a physiotherapist has ongoing informed consent when providing physiotherapy services. The College often hears from physiotherapists and others who have questions about the College’s expectations related to ongoing consent. Does ongoing informed consent mean that the physiotherapist must engage in an extensive discussion of the risks, benefits, and options for care at every visit? Can a physiotherapist ensure that the patient continues to consent to treatment at subsequent visits by asking a few simple questions and being alert to the patient’s replies? Does a patient’s attendance at an appointment mean that ongoing informed consent is in place?

In this episode Sean and Leanne answer these questions and more and highlight the risks that can arise if express ongoing informed consent is not sought and received. What does this look like in clinical practice? Listen to the episode to learn more.

Resources:

· Consent Standard of Practice

· Consent Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

On this episode of College Conversations Jody and Leanne continue the discussion of trends in complaints related to allegations of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct, highlighting one of the underlying themes identified from the review of these complaints – communication.

They discuss the comments highlighted in the #WordsMatter infographic and why they are problematic. They connect the concerning comments back to the concept of professional boundaries, the importance of maintaining therapeutic relationships, and the difference between therapeutic relationships and personal relationships.

They also discuss the important roles that context, non-verbal and para-verbal communication play when it comes to how a comment is received, highlighting that how a comment is received depends on both the person speaking and the person on the receiving end of the comment. Towards the end of the episode, they touch on trauma-informed practice and highlight some tips for integrating a trauma informed approach into daily patient interactions.

Communication is one of the hardest skills to master and one that physiotherapists can spend their entire careers developing. Check out this episode to learn more.

Resources:

· Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice

· Words Matter: Comments & Sexual Misconduct Infographic

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Speakers: Jody Prohar, Sean FitzGerald, and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Jody, Sean, and Leanne discuss common questions and issues related to physiotherapy business practices.

· Is it appropriate for a physiotherapist to continue to sell their services without demonstrable progress towards the patient’s goals, or is that a conflict of interest?

· Where does demonstrable progress fit into decisions about providing ongoing care or discharging a patient?

· What about maintenance plans for patients with chronic conditions?

· Are there rules or requirements to keep in mind when selling physiotherapy equipment or products?

· What about incentive contracts that see physiotherapists receive a bonus based on volume of product sales?

· What are the risks of accepting pre-payment for physiotherapy services?

We address all these questions in this episode.

Resources:

· Conflict of Interest Standard of Practice

· Fees and Billing Standard of Practice

· Code of Ethical Conduct

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger, Jody Prohar, and Joyce Vogelgesang

On this episode of College Conversations Jody, Joyce, and Leanne talk about concerning trends in the number and nature of complaints received by the College during the 2022-2023 registration year. The College has seen an increase in the number of complaints received, and the number of complaints pertaining to sexual abuse particularly.

Four years have passed since the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice came into force. In this episode, Jody, Joyce, and Leanne review the key components of the Standard of Practice and discuss some of the actions by health professionals that have led to complaints of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.

Find out how recent complaints data from the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta compares to that of other “hands on” health professions in Alberta. The College is concerned about these statistics and physiotherapists should be too.

Listen to this episode to understand why the College is calling on all registrants to revisit the performance expectations established in the Standard and to reflect on their current practice and interactions with patients.

Resources:

· Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice

· College of Physiotherapists of Alberta - Complaints

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

Being a member of a small community poses some unique challenges for regulated health professionals. There is the potential for conflicts of interest and risks related to the ability to set and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients.

What does the College mean when it says that physiotherapists should refrain from providing services to an individual with whom they have a close personal relationship? Which relationships are considered to be a close personal relationship?

What are some recommendations if you do need to treat someone with whom you also have a personal relationship?

What about the challenges of navigating a small community and informal interactions with past or current patients occurring outside of the practice setting?

How can physiotherapists also have a life outside of work as a member of a small community?

What about making friends in town or developing a network of peer health professionals with whom to discuss challenging situations?

We address the College’s perspective on these questions and more in this episode.

Resources:

· Conflict of Interest Standard of Practice

· Therapeutic Relationships Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

· Good Practice – Conflict of Interest

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One of the most common topics of the questions brought to the College is that of privacy and the legislative and regulatory requirements that physiotherapists must meet in relation to patient privacy. With physiotherapists subject to as many as four different pieces of privacy legislation depending on their area of practice and patient population, it’s easy to understand why.

In this episode of College Conversations, Sean and Leanne complete a brief review of privacy legislation in Alberta, the core principles that they share, and the differences between different pieces of legislation. In the second half of the episode, they answer some frequently asked and recent challenging questions that the College has received.

Leanne and Sean also highlight the many resources available, both through the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta and from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, to help physiotherapists navigate the complicated world of privacy in physiotherapy practice.

Resources:

· Privacy Standard

· Privacy Guide

· Leaving a Practice Guide

· OPIC Video Surveillance in the Private Sector

· OPIC Bring Your Own Device Resources

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

Physiotherapist support workers are an essential element to a functioning health system. In this episode, Leanne and Sean discuss the range of backgrounds, educations and experiences people working as physiotherapist support workers may possess and the implications of physiotherapist support workers being unregulated health providers.

They review the performance expectations that physiotherapists must adhere to when supervising physiotherapist support workers and the importance of understanding the skills and knowledge of the physiotherapist support workers you work with.

Toward the end of the episode, they discuss the College’s perspective on the importance of establishing when a supervision relationship exists between a physiotherapist and an unregulated health provider and touch on the different methods of supervision physiotherapists can employ when supervising physiotherapist support workers.

Resources:

· Supervision Standard of Practice

· Supervision Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

Over the last few months, there has been a near constant stream of media coverage related to health workforce labour shortages and actions taken by governments, regulators, and other organizations to address the issue.

In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss actions taken by the provincial governments in Ontario and Nova Scotia and recent changes to Alberta legislation that are all intended to attract health professionals to the respective provinces.

They provide an overview of the Fair Registration Practices Act and the Labour Mobility Act - two pieces of legislation which apply to the physiotherapy workforce. These pieces of legislation establish specific timelines and responsibilities for the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta related to registering physiotherapists who are moving to Alberta from other jurisdictions – both from within Canada and from other countries.

What does it all mean for Alberta physiotherapists? Listen to the episode to find out more.

Resources:

· Government of Alberta. Fair Registration Practices Code.

· Government of Alberta. Labour Mobility Within Canada.

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta has had provision of professional services rules in place for several years. The rules stem from the College’s legislated authority to “approve practice settings where physiotherapists provide services.” In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the rationale behind the rules, policy updates that were implemented in 2023, and what those updates mean for physiotherapists and business owners.

Do you have questions about:

· The role of the designated owner of a practice setting?

· The mandatory learning modules in place for Most Responsible Physiotherapists (MRPTs) and some business owners?

· The agreement that MRPTs enter into with the College?

· The transition to online applications?

If so, this is the episode for you!

Resources:

Episode 37: Thinking About Opening a Physiotherapy Business? Start Here!
College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. Provision of Professional Services.

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Physiotherapists have fundamental obligations to provide safe, competent, effective care to their clients, and to provide for continuity of care whenever a therapeutic relationship has been established. The concept of a duty of care underlies long standing professional norms and expectations.

In this episode we discuss recurring challenges that physiotherapists may encounter related to the duty of care that they have towards their clients, including:

· The physiotherapist’s responsibility to maintain the therapeutic relationship and take responsibility for conflict resolution.

· Challenges related to discharging patients who still require treatment, but with whom the physiotherapist is unable to maintain a therapeutic relationship, and the physiotherapist’s responsibility to arrange for continuity of care.

· Expectations related to informed consent and shared decision making such as the requirements of avoiding providing inappropriate or ineffective treatment and respecting the patient’s right to make decisions about their own care. We also discuss how to navigate the challenging situations that can arise when a patient declines or refuses treatment and the physiotherapist thinks the patient’s choice of action is unsafe.

The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethical Conduct set out the expectations for physiotherapists related to duty of care. In this episode we elaborate on those expectations and discuss real world scenarios that physiotherapists may encounter from time to time.

Resources:

Code of Ethical Conduct https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/code-of-ethics/
Standards of Practice https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/

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Speakers: Jody Prohar, Joyce Vogelgesang, and Leanne Loranger

To be eligible to renew their College of Physiotherapists of Alberta practice permit each year, physiotherapists are required to meet currency of practice requirements. The most common way to meet these requirements is to have engaged in the practice of physiotherapy for at least 1200 hours in the 5 registration years immediately preceding the application for permit renewal. Each year the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta receives many questions from regulated physiotherapists regarding practice hours and currency of practice requirements.

Have you ever wondered

· How many hours a registrant must work to meet the currency of practice requirements?

· What types of hours count towards meeting the currency requirements?

· Whether a physiotherapist is required to count their hours of practice?

· When to report physiotherapy practice hours and what information to include? And

· What happens if the physiotherapist does not meet the currency requirement?

If so, this episode is for you!

Resources:

Practice Permit Renewal. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/registration-information/practice-permit-renewal/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

In recent years, the Government of Alberta has passed legislative changes intended to modernize health profession regulation in Alberta and ensure that health regulators focus solely on serving the public interest.

Historically, physiotherapists selected to serve on Council were elected through the annual Council election process that many Alberta physiotherapists will be familiar with. However, Council election processes can send a contradictory message to regulated members, Council members, and the public, creating the perception that Council is elected to serve the interests of physiotherapists.

Beginning in 2023, the College will be moving to a competency-based appointment process for new physiotherapist members of Council. Listen to this episode to find out more about the change and how physiotherapists can become involved.

Resources:

Changing the Council Selection Process. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/changing-the-council-selection-process/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

Do you know the rules related to advertising the physiotherapy services you provide? Each month the College receives several calls and emails from physiotherapists and patients alike asking if offers of free services, use of comparative statements, or other common marketing practices are permitted by the College.

In 2023, the College is instituting a proactive approach to enforce the Advertising Standard of Practice, implementing a tool to monitor the websites and social media profiles of physiotherapists. If the tool identifies an issue, the College will contact the registrant about the issue and advise them of the necessary changes. If an issue is not addressed, or reoccurs, it may result in a fine or conduct process, as it may be viewed as disregard for the Standards of Practice.

The College’s ultimate goal is to scan physiotherapy websites and social media accounts and find no issues. The hope is that through this process people will understand the seriousness of the matter and will take the necessary corrective actions.

Resources:

Standards of Practice for Alberta Physiotherapists. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

The Standards of Practice for Physiotherapists in Alberta are being revised, with updated Standards intended to be adopted in 2023. In this episode, Jody and Leanne talk about the core documents of the profession, the legislation governing practice, Bylaws, Code of Ethical Conduct, and the Standards as well as the purpose of each of these documents. The process the College used for revising the Standards and the data considered when making the proposed changes is described in detail.

Each regulated physiotherapist is responsible for their conduct and for meeting the expectations articulated in the Standards and other foundational documents. Defenses like “I didn’t know the rules,” “my colleague said it was OK,” or “those were the rules when I graduated” are not acceptable, so take the time to get to know the Standards and watch for changes in the future.

Resources:

Standards of Practice for Alberta Physiotherapists. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/
Governing Legislation. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/governing-legislation/
Code of Ethical Conduct. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/code-of-ethics/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

Nearly a year after formally ceasing association functions, Jody and Leanne discuss the respective roles of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta and the newly formed Alberta Association of Physiotherapy. The College regularly hears from physiotherapists who are unsure which organization can help them with the questions or concerns they have.

In this episode we answer some of the most common questions received over the last several months. Who do you talk to about registering and getting a practice permit? When starting a new business? Or when looking for a physiotherapist to treat a specific condition or one that’s authorized to perform a restricted activity? Jody and Leanne cover these topics and more in this episode.

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

Nearly a year after formally ceasing association functions, Jody and Leanne discuss the respective roles of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta and the newly formed Alberta Association of Physiotherapy. The College regularly hears from physiotherapists who are unsure which organization can help them with the questions or concerns they have.

In this episode we answer some of the most common questions received over the last several months. Who do you talk to about registering and getting a practice permit? When starting a new business? Or when looking for a physiotherapist to treat a specific condition or one that’s authorized to perform a restricted activity? Jody and Leanne cover these topics and more in this episode.

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode, Leanne and Sean talk about the diverse group of individuals that make up the physiotherapist intern population and the supervision of physiotherapist interns as they transition into practice in Alberta. They discuss the specific duties that the supervising physiotherapist needs to fulfill when they agree to be a supervisor, including assessing the physiotherapist intern’s skills, making a supervision plan, assigning activities to the physiotherapist intern, and providing ongoing supervision.

Leanne and Sean talk through responsibilities of each party if something goes wrong at the 12:30 minute mark. At the 15:10 minute mark they discuss challenging scenarios that can arise related to billing for physiotherapy services provided by physiotherapist interns and considerations for hiring physiotherapist interns into remote and rural locations.

Resources:

Supervision Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/supervision-guide/
Supervision Standard of Practice. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/supervision/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode, Leanne and Sean talk about the diverse group of individuals that make up the physiotherapist intern population and the supervision of physiotherapist interns as they transition into practice in Alberta. They discuss the specific duties that the supervising physiotherapist needs to fulfill when they agree to be a supervisor, including assessing the physiotherapist intern’s skills, making a supervision plan, assigning activities to the physiotherapist intern, and providing ongoing supervision.

Leanne and Sean talk through responsibilities of each party if something goes wrong at the 12:30 minute mark. At the 15:10 minute mark they discuss challenging scenarios that can arise related to billing for physiotherapy services provided by physiotherapist interns and considerations for hiring physiotherapist interns into remote and rural locations.

Resources:

Supervision Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/supervision-guide/
Supervision Standard of Practice. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/supervision/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

In this episode Jody and Leanne discuss the current landscape of telerehabilitation use by physiotherapists in Alberta, cover frequent questions that came up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and bust common telerehabilitation myths.

Do you have questions about:

Setting fees for telerehabilitation services?
Expectations regarding safety and risk management?
Privacy and rules for where private information is stored?
Recording and documenting telerehabilitation visits?
Delivering physiotherapy services in another Canadian province or territory using telerehabilitation?

This episode is for you!

Resources:

Telerehabilitation Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/telerehabilitation-guide/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

In this episode Jody and Leanne discuss the current landscape of telerehabilitation use by physiotherapists in Alberta, cover frequent questions that came up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and bust common telerehabilitation myths.

Do you have questions about:

Setting fees for telerehabilitation services?
Expectations regarding safety and risk management?
Privacy and rules for where private information is stored?
Recording and documenting telerehabilitation visits?
Delivering physiotherapy services in another Canadian province or territory using telerehabilitation?

This episode is for you!

Resources:

Telerehabilitation Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/telerehabilitation-guide/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Jody Prohar

In this episode Jody and Leanne update listeners about changes that are on the horizon regarding the legislation pertaining to restricted activities in Alberta and discuss continuing competence considerations for physiotherapists who perform restricted activities.

August means practice permit renewal season, and one of the things that renewal always brings to mind is the issue of competence and continuing professional development. What should physiotherapists consider when it comes to competence development in the performance of a restricted activity? What about maintenance of competence in the performance of restricted activities? How does disuse of a clinical skill effect a physiotherapist’s ability to perform the skill safely?

Restricted activities are ones that come with risk of harm if performed by a person lacking the necessary knowledge, skills and judgment to perform the activity safely and effectively. It is imperative that physiotherapists are intentional in their actions and take proactive steps to maintain their skills related to the restricted activities that they are authorized to perform.

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Resources:

Restricted Activities. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/restricted-activities/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger, Jody Prohar, Moyra McAllister

In this episode we discuss the legal requirement for mandatory reporting to the College, and the scenarios where this requirement is triggered.

The College exists to protect the public. There are instances where an employer who is ending an employment relationship needs to make the College aware of performance concerns that may indicate that a physiotherapist is unable to meet the requirements of the Standards of Practice. There are also instances when a physiotherapist is required to report a criminal conviction or court finding of professional negligence. Failing to make a report when one is mandated by legislation can carry consequences.

Do you know the situations where you are required to report an issue or legal matter to the College? Listen to this episode to learn more.

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode, Sean and Leanne talk about the provision of professional services process and rules that apply to private businesses seeking to offer physiotherapy services in Alberta.

When physiotherapists work in private business settings that are owned by individuals who are not regulated health professionals there is a risk that the physiotherapist will not be able to meet the expectations established in the Standards of Practice. This risk arises because the physiotherapist may not have full control over the business practices of their employer, or because their employer may not fully understand the requirements of the College and our governing legislation.

Where does the College get its authority to require businesses to apply for authorization to provide physiotherapy services?
Who does this process apply to?
Why did the College put these rules in place?
What is the role and responsibilities of the Most Responsible Physiotherapist?
Why do some business owners need to include their operating policies and procedures with their application?
What does “Practice in Association” mean and why does it matter for physiotherapists thinking of opening a business in a shared location?

Listen to this episode to learn the answers to these questions and more!

Thinking of opening a new physiotherapy business? Start here.

Resources:

Provision of Professional Services. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-employers/provision-of-professional-services/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Cheryl Blahut

In this episode Cheryl and Leanne talk about records release to other parties and the common themes that come up when complaints or concerns come to the College regarding records release.

How are concerns about records release addressed by the College?
How long does the physiotherapist have to provide a copy of a chart once a request has been received?
What fee can be charged for the chart copy?
What does the physiotherapist need to include in a complete chart copy?

Even though the physical document is the property of the physiotherapist or physiotherapy business, the information contained in the patient record belongs to the patient. If the patient or someone acting on the patient’s behalf requests a copy of the record, the physiotherapist or physiotherapy business must provide it.

Check out this episode to learn more about common issues related to records release and how to avoid challenging situations.

Resources:

Privacy Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/privacy-guide/

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Susan Paul

In this episode Leanne speaks with Susan Paul of the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia about trends seen among physiotherapists on social media. The episode starts with a discussion of the aspirational aspects of the Code of Ethical Conduct and who physiotherapists are called to be in all our professional interactions, including those that take place on social media. From there, Susan and Leanne go on to talk about core expectations established in the Standards of Practice, challenging scenarios that they have encountered in recent years, and key considerations related to professional communication on social media.

Social media can be a powerful tool when used professionally to share credible information. Check out this episode to hear Leanne and Susan’s thoughts about how to be intentional in social media use to mitigate against the risks encountered when using these platforms.

Resources:

Professionalism in the Era of Social Media – Webinar presentation by Jason Kully; https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/professionalism_in_the_era_of_social_media/?page=11
Physiotherapy Alberta - Social Media Resource Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists; https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_guideline_social_media.pdf

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger, Jody Prohar, and Joyce Vogelgesang

In this episode Leanne, Jody and Joyce talk about Physiotherapy Alberta’s continuing competence program, providing an overview of the Do. Learn. Grow. program and an update about changes coming to continuing competence for physiotherapists in Alberta in 2022.

We start with a discussion of legislation and the principles that underly the continuing competence program. Then, at the 2:52 minute mark we discuss the program components – the College-Selected and Self-Selected Activities - and what they involve.

We go on to talk details about the Self-Selected Activity and cover some common questions starting at the 7:02 minute mark.

We cover the program rules in greater detail at the 10:28 minute mark.

If you are curious about the changes coming to the program in 2022, skip ahead to the 12:14 minute mark.

Check out this episode to learn more!

Resources:

Draft Competence Standard - https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/continuing_competence_draft.pdf
Competence Program Rules - https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/program_rules_draft.pdf

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

In this episode Leanne is joined by Sean FitzGerald, Physiotherapy Alberta’s Practice Advisor, to discuss conflicts of interest and some real-life scenarios that physiotherapists encounter in practice on a regular basis.

Leanne and Sean discuss common questions about conflicts of interest including: what is a conflict of interest; and why do physiotherapists need to avoid potential and perceived conflicts of interest?

At the 4:30 mark they talk through a process to manage conflicts of interest. They also discuss common physiotherapy practice scenarios that pose a risk of conflict of interest, such as treating friends and family members, referring patients to other providers or from public healthcare settings to private practice settings, and incentive contracts.

Check out this episode to learn more!

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Conflict of Interest Standard of Practice. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/conflict_of_interest
Physiotherapy Alberta. Good Practice: Conflict of Interest and Incentive Contracts.

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Speakers: Jody Prohar, Leanne Loranger

It’s safe to say that 2022 will be a year of change for Physiotherapy Alberta. In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the Strategic Plan that was recently approved by Council and what that plan means in terms of the work Physiotherapy Alberta will focus on in the coming year.

With the upcoming change in mandate, it was time to reflect on Physiotherapy Alberta’s mission, vision, and values and how we enact them in our work.

In past episodes Jody and Leanne have discussed the activities that Physiotherapy Alberta is going to stop doing with the change to being a single mandate organization. With this episode we are focusing on what we are going to start doing and where Physiotherapy Alberta will focus its efforts in the future.

Want to know where Physiotherapy Alberta is heading in 2022? Check out this episode to learn more!

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Strategic Plan 2021. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/strat_plan_2021.pdf
Physiotherapy Alberta. Mandate Change (Response to Bill 46). https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/mandate_change_response_to_bill_46

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Speakers: Jody Prohar, Leanne Loranger

Change is coming to Physiotherapy Alberta. In December 2020 the Health Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2) received Royal Assent. Among other things, this piece of legislation requires that regulatory colleges cease to function as professional associations and divest themselves of any association functions.

In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the work that has already been done to address the requirements established by the Health Statutes Amendment Act and the changes to come in the months ahead. We highlight the ongoing work to define our regulatory activities in the future, our support of the formation of an association independent of Physiotherapy Alberta Council and Staff, and address some of the most common questions we have heard from physiotherapists regarding the upcoming changes.

2022 will be a busy and exciting year for physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Alberta. Check out this episode to hear more about what comes next.

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Mandate Change (Response to Bill 46).https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/mandate_change_response_to_bill_46

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Speakers: Jody Prohar, Leanne Loranger

In this episode we talk about how Physiotherapy Alberta approaches the questions regarding the scope of physiotherapypractice that we commonly receive from regulated physiotherapists, employers, and insurers. The “Is It Physiotherapy?” tool provides Physiotherapy Alberta with a consistent way to approach these questions. The five steps outlined in the tool take into consideration the issue or intervention in question, legislative considerations, training and competence of physiotherapists, the evolution of the profession,and the evidence related to the activity.

Throughout the pandemic we have seen regulated membersredeployed to provide services physiotherapists don’t typically deliver, due to health system pressures. This episode came about in response to some of the questions we have received with regards to the activities physiotherapists have been asked to take on, and the rather unique legislative reality that arises due to the declaration of a Public Health Emergency under the Public Health Act. In the latter half of the episode, we discuss the application of the “Is It Physiotherapy?” tool in the context of a public health emergency like COVID-19.

Resources:

• Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. Is it Physiotherapy? Tool to Consider Emerging Practices.https://www.alliancept.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Is_it_Physiotherapy_Tool_170405.pdf • Physiotherapy Alberta. Good Practice: Emerging Practices and Treatment.https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/good_practice_emerging_practices_and_treatment Links:

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Speakers: Jody Prohar, Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the profound effect that the spread of misinformation has had on the public’s trust of institutions and regulated health professionals alike. We talk about some of the statements issued by professional organizations and regulators during the pandemic about the expectations health professionals need to meet and the importance of avoiding spreading or amplifying misinformation.

At about the 7-minute mark, we talk about the specific expectations for Alberta physiotherapists as outlined in the Code of Ethical Conduct and the Standards of Practice and how these expectations reinforce the importance of sharing credible, evidence-based messages.

What is the physiotherapist’s role in sharing public health messages, and how does that relate to the traditional scope of physiotherapy practice? What happens if a physiotherapist uses their professional title to add credibility to misinformation shared on social media or in other forums? Listen to this episode to find out.

Resources:

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy - Statement on Misinformation: https://www.fsbpt.org/News-Events/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/151/Statement-on-Misinformation
Government of Alberta - Statement from Minister Copping in Response to Anti-Vaccination Letter https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=79899FED247BF-F1CD-D9EE-2844E2FB61EF117D
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta – An Open Letter in Response to Vaccine Concerns and Misinformation

https://cpsa.ca/news/an-open-letter-in-response-to-vaccine-concerns-and-misinformation/

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Speakers: Joyce Vogelgesang, Cheryl Blahut, Leanne Loranger

With the September 30th deadline for practice permit renewal fast approaching, we are using this episode to answer the question – ‘What happens if I fail to renew my permit and practice when I’m not authorized?’

The Health Professions Act establishes the penalties that apply if someone claims or implies that they are a physiotherapist without being registered with Physiotherapy Alberta. Penalties may apply to people who falsely represent themselves as physiotherapists, and to people who have let their practice permit expire and continue to provide professional services.

If a regulated member lets their permit expire, it is not a simple task to get their practice permit back, and there can be fines or other penalties that need to be addressed as part of the process of being reinstated. Physiotherapists need to know that if they let their permit expire, it results in a complaint which is not a minor thing.

Listen to this episode to learn more about the consequences of letting your practice permit expire, then submit your renewal before it does!

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Annual Renewal. Available at: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/how_to_maintain_your_registration/annual_renewal

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Speakers: Joyce Vogelgesang, Jody Prohar, Leanne Loranger

August means that practice permit renewal season is upon us. Joyce Vogelgesang joins Jody and Leanne in this episode to discuss all things registration and renewal and our tips for making the renewal process run smoothly, including:

Maintaining your member profile.
Reporting criminal charges, convictions, and findings of unprofessional conduct as soon as reasonably possible.
What to keep in mind if you are considering canceling your practice permit.

Physiotherapists can start working on their practice permit renewal in advance by:

Making sure all their employment locations are indicated on their member profile.
Calculating the hours worked at each practice location where they’ve worked in the past year.
Finishing the practice improvement record for their self-selected competence activity now.
Gathering the other documents they will need, such as their personal professional liability insurance.

No one likes paying late fees. Start the renewal process early to avoid them!

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Maintain Your Information. Available at https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/maintain_your_information

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

It’s the second anniversary of College Conversations! This episode takes us back to the discussions of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct of patients by regulated health professionals, which were the spark that let to the creation of the podcast.

We begin the episode by reviewing key definitions related to changes to the Health Professions Act which were passed in late 2018.

We go on to discuss the patient relations program that the College established in response to those legislative amendments. This includes the funding program created to provide financial support for treatment and counselling of patients, if a complaint is made respecting a physiotherapist that relates to sexual abuse of or sexual misconduct towards the patient by the physiotherapist.

At the 9:03 mark we talk about changes made to mandatory education requirements for all new and recent applicants to the College. These changes are designed to ensure that all Alberta physiotherapists have a basic understanding of the legislation, key definitions, and why and how the Standard of Practice – Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct and related guidance documents apply to their practice.

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Learn. Grow. Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct – What Members Need to Know. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/how_to_maintain_your_registration/do._learn._grow._continuing_competence_program/college_selected_activity#2019_college_selected_activity
Physiotherapy Alberta. College Conversations. Episode 1: When is a Patient a Patient?https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/college_conversations_episode_1/?course_type%3Alist=Podcasts
Physiotherapy Alberta. College Conversations. Episode 2: The Dirty Joke.https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/college_conversations_episode_2/?course_type%3Alist=Podcasts&page=3
Physiotherapy Alberta. College Conversations. Episode 3: Sensitive Practice in Physiotherapy – A Primer. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/college_conversations_episode_3/?course_type%3Alist=Podcasts&page=4

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the core activities of regulatory organizations, the costs of regulation and Council’s fiduciary duty.

Council has a duty to act in the interest of meeting Physiotherapy Alberta’s mandate and to use the funds collected responsibly to fulfill core regulatory activities and our strategic plan. As a large, public organization, Physiotherapy Alberta’s financial situation is reported annually to government and other stakeholders, through our annual report.

While no one wants to pay higher fees for registration with the College, many of the costs that the College faces are, if not fixed, not truly malleable either. We discuss how the College sets its annual budget, establishes fees for registration and renewal, and aligns spending with the strategic plan. We discuss some of the new costs the College has been faced with in recent years at 6:26 and touch on non-dues revenue generation and why that is not something Physiotherapy Alberta pursues at 8:45. At the 11:48 mark we discuss the reserve funds Physiotherapy Alberta reports in the annual report and what these funds are used for.

Want to know where your fees go? Check out this episode!

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Annual Report. Available at https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/annual_report

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In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss Physiotherapy Alberta’s recent Statement on discrimination, oppression and inequity, and our future plans as an organization.

We review how Physiotherapy Alberta initially began this work in response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and was at the point of starting to address those Calls to Action that apply to the work of health regulators when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Then, as 2020 unfolded, we watched the protests that arose in response to George Floyd’s death, listened as people in Canada described the discrimination they encounter every day and realized a broader view was needed, one that considers how people’s experience of discrimination may vary based on their many identity factors.

We talk about Physiotherapy Alberta’s commitment to examining our internal processes and foundational documents from an anti-discrimination, anti-oppression lens. We also discuss our intent to share what we are learning with our registrants and with other health profession regulators, with an aim to affect positive change in the health system.

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta’s Statement – Addressing Discrimination, Oppression, and Inequity in Physiotherapy https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/addressing_discrimination_oppression_and_inequity_in_physiotherapy
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action http://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

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In this episode, Jody and Leanne are joined by Joyce Vogelgesang, Deputy Registrar and long-time staff member of Physiotherapy Alberta, to discuss the history of how we came to be both College and Association, some common misconceptions about our history and role, and our primary mandate to serve the public interest.

We go on to discuss recent legislative changes that mandate that health profession regulatory organizations may not hold themselves out to be both College and Association and may not fulfill association-type roles as part of their work. This change reflects a trend in the world of regulation to require separation between organizations that serve the public interest and those that represent the interests of the profession.

While the details of what this change will mean for Physiotherapy Alberta’s activities are still being reviewed, we know that in the future we will not operate as a dual mandate organization. Fortunately, the legislation provides for an 18-month transition period for the College to devolve itself of association functions.

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In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss what professionalism means and the expectations that arise as part of being a member of a self-regulating profession.

Professionalism is a topic of conversation that arises frequently within the physiotherapy profession. Organizations such as entry to practice education programs, accreditation organizations, and regulators all agree that professionalism matters, but defining what is or is not professional is challenging. We discuss how attitudes and beliefs about professionalism often stem from messages internalized long before a person entered the profession. Professionalism is also complicated by the fact that as society’s norms and expectations change, perspectives about what constitutes professional behaviour also change.

In some ways, it is easier to define what it means to be a member of a self-regulating profession. Jody and Leanne discuss what’s expected when an issue is brought to a physiotherapist’s attention, and what to do when a physiotherapist notices a peer isn’t meeting expectations. When do physiotherapists need to call on each other to meet expectations, and when is it appropriate to contact Physiotherapy Alberta about a fellow physiotherapist’s practices?

Resources:

Code of Ethical Conduct: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/code_of_ethical_conduct
Standards of Practice: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice

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Changes are coming to how Physiotherapy Alberta regulates the performance of pelvic health internal examinations by physiotherapists in Alberta. Although pelvic health internal examinations have always been a restricted activity, Physiotherapy Alberta is now transitioning to an authorization process for this activity that is similar to those used for authorizing the performance of spinal manipulation and the use of needles in practice.

In this episode we discuss the terminology Physiotherapy Alberta uses to describe this area of physiotherapy practice and what the plans to transition to individual authorization entail. We also address common questions from registrants, such as:

What do these changes mean for physiotherapists currently working in this area of practice and wishing to continue to do so?
How will these changes affect physiotherapist interns on the Provisional Register?
What type of supervision is required for physiotherapist interns when they perform the restricted activity? What supervision is required for physiotherapists on the General Register who are in the process of learning how to perform internal examinations?

Legacy providers of these services should know that there are options open for them to apply for and obtain authorization to perform pelvic health internal examinations. We talk about that process in detail toward the end of the episode.

Resources:

Restricted Activities – Pelvic Health (Internal Examinations) https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/restricted_activities#pelvic_health_internal_examinations
Good Practice: Pelvic Health Update https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/good_practice_pelvic_health_update?
Pelvic Health (Internal Examinations) Resource Guide https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/pelvic_health_internal_examinations_resource_guide

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From time to time, conflicts and challenging situations may arise between physiotherapists and their patients, which may lead the physiotherapist to consider declining to continue to provide services to the patient. These situations exist on a continuum from the slightly challenging to the potentially dangerous. Although there are circumstances where a physiotherapist may decide to discontinue treatment, when opting to decline services the physiotherapist also has several duties to fulfill.

In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the situations where it is or is not OK to decline services and the duties and obligations a physiotherapist must fulfill.

The onus is always on the physiotherapist to address conflicts appropriately, but how should we go about doing so? At the seven-minute mark we highlight a process for working through and addressing challenging situations and discuss key considerations, such as when it is important to involve a manager or clinic owner in a discussion with a patient.

When is it ok for a physiotherapist to decline services to a patient? Listen to this episode to find out.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/managing_challenging_situations

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Advertising is a challenging topic within physiotherapy regulation, due in part to the tension between the need to promote the services offered and the need to conduct ourselves professionally. In this episode Jody and Leanne talk about common advertising problems including the use of the title ‘doctor,’ comparative and superlative statements, and misleading advertising.

Along the way we talk about the need to avoid a race to the bottom when it comes to advertising, and the importance of making sure that the advertisements for your business are consistent with the Standards and Code of Ethical Conduct, even when (especially when) you hire advertising professionals for help.

The key point here is that physiotherapist advertisements promote a health professional’s services. The purpose is to inform members of the public about services that are available in their community, not to engage in unseemly aspects of advertising, such as bait and switch tactics, in order to get business in the door.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/advertising
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/code_of_ethical_conduct

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Physiotherapy Alberta has always fielded questions regarding Physiotherapist Interns and the Provisional Register, with questions relating to everything from the requirements for becoming a Physiotherapist Intern to the ins and outs of supervision and the performance of restricted activities. In the latter half of 2020 the number of questions received increased, presumably due to the delays to the completion of the clinical component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

This episode provides answers to the most common questions Physiotherapy Alberta receives about this group of Registrants. We discuss the Swiss Cheese Model of safety, and Physiotherapy Alberta’s perspective that the Physiotherapy Competency Examination is one layer within a system designed to make sure that only competent and qualified physiotherapists are providing physiotherapy services.

As time spent in supervised practice passes, most Physiotherapist Interns will progress in terms of the nature and intensity of supervision that they require to practice safely, but what exactly does that mean? We discuss the differences between direct and indirect supervision and the instances where direct supervision is mandatory at the 6-minute mark of the episode.

We close with a discussion of restricted activities and the rules related to their practice by Physiotherapist Interns.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/supervision
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/supervision_guide
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/supervision_agreement.pdf

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Provision of services rules are in place to guide the processes by which Physiotherapy Alberta approves practice settings where physiotherapy services are provided. In this episode Jody and Leanne talk about the evolution of regulation of physiotherapy practice settings in Alberta and the provision of services rules currently in place. We discuss when these rules apply and the application requirements for different types of physiotherapy practices.

Have you ever wondered what Physiotherapy Alberta means when we talk about the “most responsible physiotherapist” or why there are different application requirements depending on who owns a practice setting? Check out this episode to find the answers to these questions and more!

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/employers/provision_of_professional_services

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September. The start of fall is a time of fresh starts for many. Some would even argue that with return to school and resumption of fall activities it’s the real start to each year. It’s also the month when regulated members of Physiotherapy Alberta submit their annual renewal documents. In this episode Jody and Leanne walk listeners through the renewal requirements, address some common questions, and discuss the importance of keeping your member profile up to date.

The deadline for on time renewal for regulated members of Physiotherapy Alberta is September 15th, but why wait? Listen to this episode and get started on your renewal today!

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/how_to_maintain_your_registration/annual_renewal

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Bitter divorces are not inevitable when physiotherapists decide to change employers. However, from time to time that is how things can play out. Physiotherapy Alberta typically only hears about the situations that are really problematic with both the clinician and the employer calling Physiotherapy Alberta to cast the other party as the ‘bad guy’ - not the transitions that go smoothly.

In this episode Jody and Leanne discuss:

The root causes of conflict during these transitions.
Some common issues that physiotherapists and business owners grapple with.
Our best tips for avoiding trouble.

If leaving a practice can end up feeling like a bitter divorce, the best prevention is a good pre-nup agreement. With that in mind, this episode also covers topics that physiotherapists and physiotherapy business owners should proactively include in their employment agreements.

Most importantly, all parties need to internalize the mantra that no one owns the patient. We explain what we mean by that at the 3-minute mark of the episode.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_guideline_leaving_or_relocating.pdf

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In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss one of the Standards of Practice that typically gets little attention, the Legislative Responsibilities Standard. The episode starts with a brief review of some relevant legislation encompassed in the Standard, including:

The Radiation Protection Act; and
The Protection for Persons in Care Act.

The second half of the episode provides a more detailed discussion of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which has recently garnered attention in the physiotherapy community because of the announcement that the Government of Alberta plans to send Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) officers to inspect physiotherapy businesses.

The discussion of the OHS Act focusses on:

The application of OHS legislation to physiotherapy practice.
The key aims of the legislation and its requirements.
The roles of both employers and workers.

We also talk about the rationale for the increase in OHS inspections, link to tools to help you prepare for an inspection and direct you to additional workplace safety program resources.

If you are surprised that this legislation applies to you and your practice, you may want to check out the episode!

Resources:

Physiotherapy Alberta. Standard of Practice – Legislative Responsibilities. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/legislative_responsibilities
Physiotherapy Alberta. Legislation Related to Practice. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/legislation_related_to_practice
Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety.aspx
Government of Alberta. OHS Work Site Inspections: What to Expect. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/c99544f0-57e8-4666-9175-19a90c869339/resource/54010109-ed5a-4eb8-ab9e-11d9dcc71866/download/lbr-ohs-work-site-inspections.pdf
Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Starter Kit. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460144473
Physiotherapy Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Online Course. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/occupational_health_and_safety/?course_type%3Alist=Online+Course

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Hosts: Jody Prohar, Registrar, Physiotherapy Alberta; Leanne Loranger, Manager Policy + Practice, Physiotherapy Alberta

In this episode, we talk about infection prevention and control and some of the lasting effects that COVID-19 may have on physiotherapy practice. Fundamentally, the pandemic has changed clinical practice. Some of the changes seen will remain, even as the first wave of the pandemic wanes and will affect how we address the predicted second wave of COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases, such as annual influenza outbreaks.

In this episode we discuss:

The hierarchy of controls and other measures to limit the spread of infectious diseases. Although there has been a lot of focus on personal protective equipment, and specifically mask use lately, PPE is situated at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
When, how and why to complete a Point of Care Risk Assessment. The likelihood of needing additional measures to protect against the spread of infectious diseases will depend on the practice setting and patient population served. For this reason, physiotherapists need to conduct a Point of Care Risk Assessment that considers the risks posed by the patient, the task to be completed, and the practice environment.
Changing workplace sick culture. We close the episode with a discussion of one of the most challenging aspects of COVID-19 response, the need to change workplace sick culture. How do we recalibrate our collective understanding of what constitutes illness? How do we move away from a culture of needing to be nearly dead before taking a sick day, to one where staying home when ill is the right thing to do?

Resources:

Alberta Health Services. Point of Care Risk Assessment https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/healthinfo/ipc/hi-ipc-acute-care-pcra.pdf
Alberta Health. CMOH Order 16-2020 (Direction on Continuous Masking). https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/2a615f78-aa9e-48d9-a323-9f2c08b07667/resource/fcca7551-9a32-4ec0-9545-aa5163f8a284/download/health-cmoh-record-of-decision-cmoh-16-2020.pdf
Alberta Health Services. Aerosol-Generating Medical Procedure Guidance Tool. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17091.aspx

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In this episode, Jody Prohar, Registrar and Executive Director of Physiotherapy Alberta is in the hotseat, answering common physiotherapist questions and discussing overlooked legislative responsibilities including:

Can physiotherapists offer discounts to patients?
What about cancellation fees?
Do I have to release patient records when they are requested?
How can I stay up to date with information from Physiotherapy Alberta?

In this rapid-fire episode we cover many of the most common questions Physiotherapy Alberta receives from our registrants. Want to be in the know? Then listen to this episode!

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Physiotherapy Alberta has been promoting telerehabilitation since 2017; however, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, its use in physiotherapy practice has increased dramatically. While many people envision videoconferencing when they consider this format of service delivery, telerehabilitation or digital practice includes the remote delivery of physiotherapy using all forms of electronic communication technology. This can include text or email, video- or teleconferencing, and even robotics and virtual reality.

This is not a new form of physiotherapy, but rather physiotherapy delivered in a new way. Telerehabilitation services are still subject to the same standards of practice as in-person services, but how physiotherapists meet those standards may differ from “traditional” practice. This episode dives into issues of privacy, patient selection, and clinician competence. We also touch on billing for services and platform selection and provide tips on establishing a new telerehabilitation business.

Telerehabilitation has lots of promise for providing physiotherapy services both during an unprecedented pandemic and after. However, it is not a cure-all. Physiotherapists need to take the time to consider and establish their telerehabilitation practices to ensure success in the long term.

Resources:

Telerehabilitation Resource Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists
- https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/telerehabilitation_guide
PABC Digital Practice Toolkit
- https://bcphysio.org/covid-19/telerehabilitation/pabc-physiotherapy-virtual-care-toolkit
CPTBC Webinar
- https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4133221844926337805

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Most Alberta physiotherapists are familiar with restricted activities, but they may not be aware of the differences between advanced restricted activities and basic restricted activities, the requirements they must meet in order to be able to perform them, and the nuances of legislation that govern these activities. In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss all things related to restricted activities.

Ever wonder why restricted activities exist at all? Or why some are ‘basic’ and others ‘advanced’? Do the expectations for competent practice differ depending on whether the restricted activity is ‘basic’ or ‘advanced’? We answer these questions and more, highlighting Physiotherapy Alberta’s governing legislation and the expectations established in the Standards of Practice along the way.

Towards the end of the episode we talk about why Physiotherapy Alberta recently started collecting more information about the basic restricted activities that physiotherapists perform.

As a College, we have always understood that the restricted activities identified under the Government Organization Act are there for a reason. These activities pose a risk to the public if they are performed by someone who is unskilled or unqualified to perform them.

In gathering more information, we are trying to get a better understanding of what physiotherapy practice looks like, what basic restricted activities are being done, by whom and in what clinical context. We are also trying to better understand how people are developing and maintaining their skills.

Want to learn more about restricted activities? Check out these resources:

Standard of Practice – Performance of Restricted Activities

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/performance_of_restricted_activities

Physiotherapy Alberta – Restricted Activities https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/restricted_activities
Good Practice: Restricted Activities https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/good_practice_restricted_activities

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In this episode, Jody and Leanne discuss the dizzying array of credentials physiotherapists place behind their names and what the standards require when it comes to use of title in practice.

Use of title isn’t an issue that tends to lead to complaints, but it does lead to public confusion. Physiotherapy Alberta hears from members of the public who want to know what those credentials mean and whether a particular physiotherapist is qualified to treat them.

“Some signature lines look like a veritable alphabet soup of letter combinations… The bottom line with credentials and additional training is that they need to be presented in a way that has meaning to the public. When it comes to listing credentials and additional training on a business card or website, it needs to be done in a way that your grandmother or mine can understand.”

What titles are physiotherapists and physiotherapist interns expected to use?
What about academic credentials? Can physiotherapists use them? What order should they be listed in?
What about other credentials, like Clinical Specialist, Doctor, or Advanced Practice Physiotherapist? What are the rules around these terms?

We answer these questions and more in this episode.

Most importantly, be proud of your protected title! You worked hard to earn it.

For more information about use of title, check out these other resources from Physiotherapy Alberta:

Standards of Practice – Use of Titlehttps://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/use_of_title
Good Practice: Using Your Professional Title Appropriately https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/good_practice_using_your_professional_title_appropriately

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This episode was inspired by Don Cherry’s infamous comments on Hockey Night in Canada and the public and media reactions to those comments. Moyra McAllister, Physiotherapy Alberta’s Complaints Director, joins the podcast to talk about communication concerns and on-duty or off-duty conduct that can lead to patient complaints.

Like George Bernard Shaw said, “the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Communication is at the core of nearly every complaint that Physiotherapy Alberta receives.

Patients expect that communication with their physiotherapist will be respectful and professional. Physiotherapy Alberta and employers alike have expectations about what is or is not acceptable on-duty conduct. The expectations outlined in the Standards of Practice represent the minimum requirements, but employers can set the bar higher. That’s not to suggest that the Standards set the bar low, they are just the minimum expectations that all physiotherapists must meet. We start the episode by discussing those expectations.

But do those expectations apply when the physiotherapist is off-duty? Are physiotherapists ever really off-duty? In the latter half of the episode we address that topic and highlight interesting conduct cases where off-duty conduct led to complaints and sanctions against regulated professionals.

Want to read the Standard of Practice – Communication or the Code of Ethical Conduct for yourself? Check them out here:

Standards of Practice – Communication https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/communication
Code of Ethical Conduct https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/code_of_ethical_conduct

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Jody Prohar, Registrar and Executive Director of Physiotherapy Alberta and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice discuss the dizzying landscape of privacy legislation for physiotherapists in Alberta.

“Alberta physiotherapists are currently subject to 4 different pieces of privacy legislation... In some practice settings, more than one piece of privacy legislation can apply to patient records. So, when we talk about privacy for Alberta physiotherapists, we have to be thoughtful about the fact that different rules can apply to the same physiotherapist even when they are working at just one practice site.”

Luckily, privacy legislation is founded on several shared principles, so a physiotherapist can take a principles-based approach to privacy and be well on their way to compliance with the rules that are relevant to their practice.

Later in the episode we discuss some of the common privacy challenges that physiotherapists encounter, such as

Only using private information for purposes identified at the time of collection.
Being attentive to the privacy challenges related to use of personal devices in practice.

We close with a discussion of what would happen if physiotherapists were declared custodians under the Health Information Act, what this would mean in terms of becoming eligible to be an authorized custodian under the Act (hello Netcare access), and the process of becoming an authorized custodian. (Hint: it’s not as simple as you may think.)

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_standard_privacy_confidentiality.pdf

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/guide_privacy_for_ab_physiotherapists.pdf

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Individuals on the Provisional Register are a diverse group of people working to fulfill the requirements of registration on Physiotherapy Alberta’s General Register. Until those requirements are fulfilled, supervision is required to help protect the interests of patients and facilitate the delivery of quality care. In this episode, Simon Cooke, Physiotherapy Alberta Council Vice-President and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice discuss the considerations, challenges, and rewards of supervising Physiotherapy Interns.

“Think of it as a contract between Physiotherapy Alberta and the public.”Physiotherapy Alberta registers physiotherapy interns to practice but requires they be supervised. Without the Provisional Register, individuals would not be able to practice until they fulfilled all the registration requirements and were added to the General Register, and that delay could contribute to the erosion of clinical skills. Permitting practice helps physiotherapy interns to maintain and further develop their skills and provides patients with access to valuable health-care providers.

The Provisional Register, and supervision of physiotherapy interns is an attempt to balance all the interests at play.

The requirements of supervision, challenges if things don’t proceed as hoped, and importance of having a supervision contingency plan are highlighted. Intricacies of use of title, providing receipts for treatment from physiotherapy interns and co-signing charts are also reviewed.

Do you understand what’s expected when you supervise a physiotherapy intern? This episode will help to clear up any questions you have.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/supervision
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/supervision_agreement.pdf
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/supervision_guide
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/supervising_physiotherapy_interns_expectations_and_challenges/
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/good_practice_physiotherapist_interns_students_and_advanced_restricted_activities

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In this episode, Physiotherapy Alberta’s Council President Karin Eldred and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice answer common questions that arise when physiotherapists seek consent for treatment, including:

Is it OK to accept verbal consent?
Why isn’t it OK to get consent on an intake form?
When can a physiotherapist accept consent from a minor?
Who should a physiotherapist get consent from if they think their patient has a cognitive impairment?

Physiotherapists need to know that consent is only valid if it is informed. While physiotherapists can choose to accept either verbal or written consent from their patients, they need to inform their patients of the proposed intervention and its rationale, the benefits and risks of the intervention and the risks of not undergoing the treatment before seeking the patient’s consent.

Physiotherapists also need to recognize that consent is an ongoing process. “It’s not one and done… You don’t obtain consent once and are ‘good to go’ indefinitely.”

Later in the podcast we delve into the concept of capacity to provide consent, as it relates to minors and to older adults, realizing that capacity isn’t a switch that gets thrown on a person’s 18th (or 65th) birthday. Finally, we discuss what to do when a person with capacity is not consenting to treatment or is making a decision that the physiotherapist thinks is unsafe.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_standard_consent.pdf
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_guideline_consent.pdf

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Jody Prohar, Registrar and Executive Director of Physiotherapy Alberta and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice discuss emerging physiotherapy practices.

“When asked whether an activity is within the scope of practice for physiotherapists, we need to provide an answer with public interest/public protection top of mind. But it’s not always easy to settle on an answer.”

When asked about activities as diverse as cupping, shock wave and blood flow restriction, Physiotherapy Alberta reviews governing legislation and regulations, the evolution of the profession, physiotherapist education and competence, and the evidence regarding the proposed treatment.

When it comes to emerging practices, their spread and adoption will vary depending on the rules and context of different jurisdictions. Are we “falling behind” or are there factors that make a practice safe and effective in one jurisdiction, that are absent and make the same activity unsafe in Alberta?

Physiotherapy Alberta has a role to play in asking questions and staying informed about emerging practices as part of fulfilling our mandate of public protection. Similarly, physiotherapists need to ask tough questions and pause before jumping on trendy treatment approaches.

In this episode we discuss our approach to reviewing emerging practices using the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators “Is it Physiotherapy?” tool and encourage members to do the same.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/good_practice_emerging_practices_and_treatment

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“With prevalence numbers at 30-40%… physiotherapists should act under the assumption that every patient they encounter has experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault of some type.”

In this episode, Jody Prohar, Registrar and Executive Director of Physiotherapy Alberta and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice talk about how a history of sexual assault has the potential to affect the patient-physiotherapist relationship.

When physiotherapy assessments or interventions are clinically appropriate they do not constitute sexual abuse or sexual misconduct but, is that going to be a comfort to the physiotherapist if a patient makes a complaint because they thought the physiotherapist did something inappropriate?

Could a history of sexual assault effect how the patient perceives the physiotherapist’s actions?

Clear communication and strong consent practices are the key to avoiding misunderstandings or patient distress.

With the high prevalence of sexual assault in Canada, physiotherapists should view sensitive practice as a universal precaution. They need to know about the effects of trauma and how triggers can powerfully remind a person of a past assault causing them to re-live it.

Towards the end of the episode we highlight some things physiotherapists can do to try to avoid triggering a traumatic memory, discuss patient reactions that may indicate that a memory has been triggered and provide suggestions for where physiotherapists can go to learn more about these topics.

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/power_and_the_therapeutic_relationship_considerations_for_physiotherapists?
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/public_and_patients/protecting_patients_from_sexual_abuse_or_misconduct
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/protecting_patients_from_sexual_abuse_or_misconduct

“If I tell a friend a dirty joke, it’s just me telling my friend a dirty joke. But if I do the same thing with a patient, I’m at risk of a complaint of sexual misconduct and could face a license suspension.”

In episode 1, Jody Prohar, Registrar and Executive Director of Physiotherapy Alberta and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice touched on behaviours that are normal in a personal relationship, but unacceptable in a physiotherapist-patient relationship.

In this episode we go into greater detail about how dirty jokes and other seemingly innocent comments could lead to big trouble for physiotherapists because of how sexual misconduct is defined by theHealth Professions Act.We discuss the concepts of professionalism, power, and power imbalance in therapeutic relationships.

Towards the end of the episode, we highlight strategies physiotherapists can use to try to share power with their patients.

Can the power imbalance between patient and physiotherapist ever be fully equalized?

Resources:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_standard_sexual_abuse_misconduct.pdf
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/public_and_patients/protecting_patients_from_sexual_abuse_or_misconduct
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/protecting_patients_from_sexual_abuse_or_misconduct
https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/news/power_and_the_therapeutic_relationship_considerations_for_physiotherapists?

“When is a patient a patient? When is a patient no longer a patient? Who’s in and who’s out? This is the essential question with this piece of legislation and this Standard.”

Jody Prohar, Registrar and Executive Director of Physiotherapy Alberta and Leanne Loranger, Manager of Policy and Practice discuss how Physiotherapy Alberta defines the term “patient.”

Why does this matter? Don’t physiotherapists know who their patients are?

Defining who is a patient is essential because of how the 2018 amendments to the Health ProfessionsActwere written. The changes specified different behaviours that are unacceptable when they happen in a patient-physiotherapist relationship, so there needs to be a clear definition of when a therapeutic relationship is formed and when it comes to an end.

In this episode we discuss important timelines that physiotherapists need to know and the two exceptions to the Standard. Later in the episode we also touch on the issue of relationships between “two consenting adults” and how this concept does not apply to sexual relationships between patients and their physiotherapists.

Resources

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_standard_sexual_abuse_misconduct.pdf

Coming soon, a new podcast from Physiotherapy Alberta called Physiotherapy Alberta's College Conversations.

For more, check out:

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/