Episode 53 - PTs, we have a problem! Concerning trends in complaints received by the College
The CPTA's College Conversations
Release Date: 10/15/2023
Episode 80 - 2025 Year in Review, 2026 Preview
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 79 - AI in Physiotherapy – Regulatory Realities
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 78 - What’s Wrong With “Just” Being A Physiotherapist?
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 77 - Conflict of Interest: It’s About How Others See It
The CPTA's College Conversations
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. ...
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Episode 76 - Connecting the Dots: Standards or Practice, Code of Ethical Conduct, and Core Professional Values
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 75 - Trend Spotting with the CPTA
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 74 - Physiotherapists and Interventional Radiology Procedures – What are the Boundaries of Practice?
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 73 - Show Don't Tell - Demonstrating A Practice Focus Before You Advertise It
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
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Episode 72 - Getting Workplace Relationships ‘Just Right’
The CPTA's College Conversations
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....
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Episode 71 - A Deep Dive into Virtual Care - Avoiding Regulatory Concerns
The CPTA's College Conversations
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...
info_outlineSpeakers: 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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