The CPTA's College Conversations
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.
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Episode 74 - Physiotherapists and Interventional Radiology Procedures – What are the Boundaries of Practice?
07/01/2025
Episode 74 - Physiotherapists and Interventional Radiology Procedures – What are the Boundaries of Practice?
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: · Good Practice – Reminders about Restricted Activities and Scope of Practice: · Referral for Physician Consultation Guideline: Links:
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Episode 73 - Show Don't Tell - Demonstrating A Practice Focus Before You Advertise It
06/01/2025
Episode 73 - Show Don't Tell - Demonstrating A Practice Focus Before You Advertise It
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: Links:
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Episode 72 - Getting Workplace Relationships ‘Just Right’
05/01/2025
Episode 72 - Getting Workplace Relationships ‘Just Right’
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: Links:
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Episode 71 - A Deep Dive into Virtual Care - Avoiding Regulatory Concerns
04/01/2025
Episode 71 - A Deep Dive into Virtual Care - Avoiding Regulatory Concerns
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 - · Virtual Care Guide - Links:
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Episode 70 - Maintaining Your Registration Information
03/01/2025
Episode 70 - Maintaining Your Registration Information
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: · Links:
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Episode 69 - Highlighting Updates to the Evidence-Informed Practice Standard
02/01/2025
Episode 69 - Highlighting Updates to the Evidence-Informed Practice Standard
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: · Links:
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Episode 68 - 2024 Year in Review, 2025 Year in Preview
01/01/2025
Episode 68 - 2024 Year in Review, 2025 Year in Preview
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: · · · · · · · Links:
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Episode 67 - What constitutes an appropriate physiotherapy assessment?
12/15/2024
Episode 67 - What constitutes an appropriate physiotherapy assessment?
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: • (2025). Links:
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Episode 66 - Implementing the new Health Equity and Anti-Discrimination and Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility Standards of Practice
11/15/2024
Episode 66 - Implementing the new Health Equity and Anti-Discrimination and Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility Standards of Practice
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. · Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. · In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care. · National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. · Standards of Practice for Physiotherapists in Alberta (2025): Links:
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Episode 65 - Updated Standards of Practice – Not Knowing Could Hurt You
10/15/2024
Episode 65 - Updated Standards of Practice – Not Knowing Could Hurt You
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. Links:
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Episode 64 - Are you engaged in a risky business?
09/15/2024
Episode 64 - Are you engaged in a risky business?
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: · · · Links: • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts • Subscribe on Google Podcasts • Subscribe on Spotify
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Episode 63 - Rise of the Machines – AI in Physiotherapy Practice
08/15/2024
Episode 63 - Rise of the Machines – AI in Physiotherapy Practice
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: · Links:
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Episode 62 - Sharing Circles – A Step in the Journey Towards Culturally Safe Care for Indigenous Clients
07/15/2024
Episode 62 - Sharing Circles – A Step in the Journey Towards Culturally Safe Care for Indigenous Clients
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: · Links:
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Episode 61 - Are you ready for your close-up? Video recording in physiotherapy practice
06/15/2024
Episode 61 - Are you ready for your close-up? Video recording in physiotherapy practice
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. . · Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. . Links:
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Episode 60 - Legislative Responsibilities – Not Knowing Can Hurt You
05/15/2024
Episode 60 - Legislative Responsibilities – Not Knowing Can Hurt You
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. · Occupational Health and Safety Act Act · Public Health Act · IPC Guide CPTA - Links:
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Episode 59 - Shifting from Witness to Intervenor – Discussing Bystander Intervention and Physiotherapy
04/15/2024
Episode 59 - Shifting from Witness to Intervenor – Discussing Bystander Intervention and Physiotherapy
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: Links:
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Episode 58 - Being a Regulated Professional – What’s In It For Me?
03/15/2024
Episode 58 - Being a Regulated Professional – What’s In It For Me?
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: Links:
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Episode 57 - Emails, Newsletters, Podcasts – Oh My! The College Communications Review
02/15/2024
Episode 57 - Emails, Newsletters, Podcasts – Oh My! The College Communications Review
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. : Links:
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Episode 56 - What Do Physiotherapists Need to Know About Ongoing Informed Consent?
01/15/2024
Episode 56 - What Do Physiotherapists Need to Know About Ongoing Informed Consent?
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: · · Links:
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Episode 55 - #WordsMatter: Unpacking the Comments and Sexual Misconduct Infographic
12/15/2023
Episode 55 - #WordsMatter: Unpacking the Comments and Sexual Misconduct Infographic
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: · · Links:
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Episode 54 - Questions and Concerns Related to Fees and Billing of Physiotherapy Services
11/15/2023
Episode 54 - Questions and Concerns Related to Fees and Billing of Physiotherapy Services
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: · · · Links:
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Episode 53 - PTs, we have a problem! Concerning trends in complaints received by the College
10/15/2023
Episode 53 - PTs, we have a problem! Concerning trends in complaints received by the College
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: · · College of Physiotherapists of Alberta - Links:
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Episode 52 - Small Town Living – Being a Professional and Part of a Small Community
09/15/2023
Episode 52 - Small Town Living – Being a Professional and Part of a Small Community
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: · · · Links:
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Episode 51 - Navigating Privacy Requirements in Physiotherapy Practice
08/15/2023
Episode 51 - Navigating Privacy Requirements in Physiotherapy Practice
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: · · · · · s Links:
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Episode 50 - The Ins and Outs of Supervising Physiotherapist Support Workers
07/15/2023
Episode 50 - The Ins and Outs of Supervising Physiotherapist Support Workers
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: · · Links:
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Episode 49 - Making Sense of Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Legislation
06/15/2023
Episode 49 - Making Sense of Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Legislation
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. . · Government of Alberta. . Links:
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Episode 48 - Updates to Provision of Professional Services Rules and Requirements
05/15/2023
Episode 48 - Updates to Provision of Professional Services Rules and Requirements
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: College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. . Links:
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Episode 47 - A Deep Dive into Duty of Care
04/15/2023
Episode 47 - A Deep Dive into Duty of Care
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 Standards of Practice Links:
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Episode 46 - Understanding the Currency of Practice Hours Requirement
03/15/2023
Episode 46 - Understanding the Currency of Practice Hours Requirement
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. Links:
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Episode 45 - Regulating in the Public Interest: The Council Member Selection Process
02/15/2023
Episode 45 - Regulating in the Public Interest: The Council Member Selection Process
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. Links:
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