The CPTA's College Conversations – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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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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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