The CPTA's College Conversations

Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In 2025 a new standard of practice related to virtual care by Alberta physiotherapists came into effect. On this episode, Sean and Leanne discuss the history and evolution of the regulation of virtual care by the CPTA and the expectations physiotherapists need to meet when providing virtual physiotherapy services. They highlight the resources available to help physiotherapists understand what is required when providing virtual care, including the Virtual Care Guide published in 2025.

Much has changed in the virtual health care sector 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 - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/virtual-care/

· Virtual Care Guide - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/virtual-care-guide/

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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:

· https://www.cpta.ab.ca/news-and-updates/news/maintain-your-information/

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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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