Explore every episode of the podcast The CPTA's College Conversations
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 63 - Rise of the Machines – AI in Physiotherapy Practice | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:16:35 | |
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: | |||
| Episode 62 - Sharing Circles – A Step in the Journey Towards Culturally Safe Care for Indigenous Clients | 15 Jul 2024 | 00:38:40 | |
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: | |||
| Episode 53 - PTs, we have a problem! Concerning trends in complaints received by the College | 15 Oct 2023 | 00:21:57 | |
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 Links: | |||
| Episode 52 - Small Town Living – Being a Professional and Part of a Small Community | 15 Sep 2023 | 00:26:19 | |
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 Links: | |||
| Episode 51 - Navigating Privacy Requirements in Physiotherapy Practice | 15 Aug 2023 | 00:25:26 | |
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: · OPIC Video Surveillance in the Private Sector · OPIC Bring Your Own Device Resources Links: | |||
| Episode 50 - The Ins and Outs of Supervising Physiotherapist Support Workers | 15 Jul 2023 | 00:18:09 | |
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 Links: | |||
| Episode 49 - Making Sense of Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Legislation | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:26:43 | |
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. Links: | |||
| Episode 48 - Updates to Provision of Professional Services Rules and Requirements | 15 May 2023 | 00:17:06 | |
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:
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| Episode 47 - A Deep Dive into Duty of Care | 15 Apr 2023 | 00:19:35 | |
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:
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| Episode 46 - Understanding the Currency of Practice Hours Requirement | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:22:31 | |
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:
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| Episode 45 - Regulating in the Public Interest: The Council Member Selection Process | 15 Feb 2023 | 00:15:34 | |
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:
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| Episode 44 – Proactively Addressing Advertising Issues | 15 Jan 2023 | 00:11:29 | |
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:
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| Episode 61 - Are you ready for your close-up? Video recording in physiotherapy practice | 15 Jun 2024 | 00:14:46 | |
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. Links: | |||
| Episode 43 - Getting to Know You(r) Standards of Practice | 15 Dec 2022 | 00:15:23 | |
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:
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| Episode 42 - Whose Job Is It, Anyways? | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:16:18 | |
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. Links: | |||
| Episode 41 - FAQs about Supervising Physiotherapist Interns | 15 Oct 2022 | 00:19:17 | |
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:
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| Episode 40 - Telerehabilitation Myth Busters | 15 Sep 2022 | 00:21:22 | |
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:
This episode is for you! Resources:
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| Episode 39 - Restricted Activities Update | 15 Aug 2022 | 00:14:35 | |
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:
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| Episode 38 - Understanding Mandatory Reporting | 15 Jul 2022 | 00:13:32 | |
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. Links: | |||
| Episode 37 - Thinking About Opening a Physiotherapy Business? Start Here! | 15 Jun 2022 | 00:22:42 | |
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.
Listen to this episode to learn the answers to these questions and more! Thinking of opening a new physiotherapy business? Start here. Resources:
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| Episode 36 - Releasing Patient Records – Understanding the Rules, Avoiding Trouble | 15 May 2022 | 00:20:01 | |
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.
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.
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| Episode 35 - Bringing Professionalism to Your Social Media Presence | 15 Apr 2022 | 00:20:41 | |
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:
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| Episode 34 - Do. Learn. Grow – Continuing Competence in Alberta | 17 Mar 2022 | 00:16:37 | |
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:
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| Episode 60 - Legislative Responsibilities – Not Knowing Can Hurt You | 15 May 2024 | 00:17:29 | |
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 Links: | |||
| Episode 33 - Conflicts of Interest in Physiotherapy Practice | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:17:59 | |
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:
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| Episode 32 - Where to next? | 15 Jan 2022 | 00:10:27 | |
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:
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| Episode 31 - The Continuing Transition to a Single-Mandate Organization | 15 Dec 2021 | 00:15:01 | |
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.
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| Episode 30 - Scope of Practice and Pandemic Redeployment – Is it Physiotherapy? | 15 Nov 2021 | 00:16:01 | |
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
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| Episode 29 - Misinformation and Professional Practice | 15 Oct 2021 | 00:15:49 | |
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:
https://cpsa.ca/news/an-open-letter-in-response-to-vaccine-concerns-and-misinformation/ Links: | |||
| Episode 28 - Do You Have a Permit For That? | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:18:01 | |
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:
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| Episode 27 - Renewing Your Practice Permit – Ready, Set, Go! | 15 Aug 2021 | 00:22:12 | |
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:
Physiotherapists can start working on their practice permit renewal in advance by:
No one likes paying late fees. Start the renewal process early to avoid them! Resources:
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| Episode 26 - Treatment and Counselling Following Sexual Abuse or Sexual Misconduct | 15 Jul 2021 | 00:14:37 | |
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:
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| Episode 25 - Show me the Money! | 15 Jun 2021 | 00:15:47 | |
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:
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| Episode 24 - Towards Equity and Inclusion | 15 May 2021 | 00:11:00 | |
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.
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| Episode 59 - Shifting from Witness to Intervenor – Discussing Bystander Intervention and Physiotherapy | 15 Apr 2024 | 00:15:08 | |
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/ Links: | |||
| Episode 23 - The Journey to College and Association and Back Again | 23 Mar 2021 | 00:10:48 | |
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. Links: | |||
| Episode 22 - Tattling vs Telling – Professionalism in Practice | 15 Mar 2021 | 00:15:47 | |
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?
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| Episode 21 - Changes to Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Service Provision | 15 Feb 2021 | 00:18:41 | |
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:
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:
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| Episode 20 - Can a Physiotherapist Decline to Provide Services? | 15 Jan 2021 | 00:16:26 | |
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.
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| Episode 19 - The Advertising Conundrum - Maintaining Professionalism in a Commercial Market | 15 Dec 2020 | 00:14:02 | |
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.
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| Episode 18 - Uncharted Waters - Provisional Registrants and COVID-19 | 15 Nov 2020 | 00:12:40 | |
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.
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| Episode 17 - Provision of Professional Services | 15 Oct 2020 | 00:14:17 | |
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: Links: | |||
| Episode 16 - Registration Renewal – Happy New Year! | 04 Sep 2020 | 00:14:48 | |
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: Links: | |||
| Episode 15 - Leaving a Practice: The Bitter End? | 15 Aug 2020 | 00:14:46 | |
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:
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.
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| Episode 14 - Legislative Responsibilities, Occupational Health and Safety, and Site Inspections – OH MY! | 15 Jul 2020 | 00:12:59 | |
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 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:
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!
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| Episode 58 - Being a Regulated Professional – What's In It For Me? | 15 Mar 2024 | 00:15:52 | |
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? Links: | |||
| Episode 13 - Making Lasting Changes in the Wake of COVID-19 | 15 Jun 2020 | 00:20:09 | |
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:
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| Episode 12 - Regulatory Roundup | 15 May 2020 | 00:12:42 | |
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:
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! Links: | |||
| Episode 11 - Delivering Physiotherapy Services via Telerehabilitation Technologies | 20 Apr 2020 | 00:20:36 | |
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:
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| Episode 10 - Restricted Activities – What you should know | 15 Mar 2020 | 00:10:24 | |
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:
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