The CPTA's College Conversations

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:

• Supervision Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/supervision-guide/
• Supervision Standard of Practice. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/supervision/

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Setting fees for telerehabilitation services?
• Expectations regarding safety and risk management?
• Privacy and rules for where private information is stored?
• Recording and documenting telerehabilitation visits?
• Delivering physiotherapy services in another Canadian province or territory using telerehabilitation?

This episode is for you!

Resources:

• Telerehabilitation Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/telerehabilitation-guide/

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Restricted Activities. College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/restricted-activities/

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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.

• Where does the College get its authority to require businesses to apply for authorization to provide physiotherapy services?
• Who does this process apply to?
• Why did the College put these rules in place?
• What is the role and responsibilities of the Most Responsible Physiotherapist?
• Why do some business owners need to include their operating policies and procedures with their application?
• What does "Practice in Association" mean and why does it matter for physiotherapists thinking of opening a business in a shared location?

Listen to this episode to learn the answers to these questions and more!

Thinking of opening a new physiotherapy business? Start here.

Resources:

• Provision of Professional Services. https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-employers/provision-of-professional-services/

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

Note: Due to changes to legislation this content is no longer up to date. Please refer to "Episode 86: Four Actions you Can Take Now to Improve Client Privacy in Your Practice Setting" for updated privacy information.

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.

• How are concerns about records release addressed by the College?
• How long does the physiotherapist have to provide a copy of a chart once a request has been received?
• What fee can be charged for the chart copy?
• What does the physiotherapist need to include in a complete chart copy?

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.

Resources:

• Privacy Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/resources/guides-and-guidelines/privacy-guide/

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Professionalism in the Era of Social Media – Webinar presentation by Jason Kully; https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/professionalism_in_the_era_of_social_media/?page=11
• Physiotherapy Alberta - Social Media Resource Guide for Alberta Physiotherapists; https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/practice_guideline_social_media.pdf

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Draft Competence Standard - https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/continuing_competence_draft.pdf
• Competence Program Rules - https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/program_rules_draft.pdf

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Conflict of Interest Standard of Practice. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/conflict_of_interest
• Physiotherapy Alberta. Good Practice: Conflict of Interest and Incentive Contracts.

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

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:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Strategic Plan 2021. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/strat_plan_2021.pdf
• Physiotherapy Alberta. Mandate Change (Response to Bill 46). https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/mandate_change_response_to_bill_46

Links:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Google Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify