The CPTA's College Conversations

Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

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

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

Resources:

· Council Appointment Information

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

2025 Highlights:

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

2026 Preview:

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

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

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Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald

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

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

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

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

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

Resources:

• Artificial Intelligence Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

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

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

We end with clear calls to action for all physiotherapists to

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

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

Want to hear more? Check out this episode!

Resources:

· Titles, Credentials and Specialty Designations Standard of Practice

· Virtual Care Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists

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

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

Key Topics:

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

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

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

Resources:

· 2022 College-Selected Activity: Professionalism

· Code of Ethical Conduct

· Core Professional Values

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

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

Resources:

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

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Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

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

Several themes of regulatory importance emerged, including

· Mental health and physiotherapy

· Artificial intelligence and big data

· Advance practice/first contact physiotherapy

· Spinal manipulation in infants, children, and youth

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

Tune in to this episode to learn more!

Resources:

Is it Physiotherapy?

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

Spinal manipulation reference materials

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

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

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

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

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

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

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

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

Resources:

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

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

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

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

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

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

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

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

Resources:

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

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Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

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

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

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

Resources:

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

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