The CPTA's College Conversations

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.

Resources:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Mandate Change (Response to Bill 46).https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/mandate_change_response_to_bill_46

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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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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:

• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy - Statement on Misinformation: https://www.fsbpt.org/News-Events/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/151/Statement-on-Misinformation
• Government of Alberta - Statement from Minister Copping in Response to Anti-Vaccination Letter https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=79899FED247BF-F1CD-D9EE-2844E2FB61EF117D
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta – An Open Letter in Response to Vaccine Concerns and Misinformation

https://cpsa.ca/news/an-open-letter-in-response-to-vaccine-concerns-and-misinformation/

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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:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Annual Renewal. Available at: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/how_to_maintain_your_registration/annual_renewal

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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:

• Maintaining your member profile.
• Reporting criminal charges, convictions, and findings of unprofessional conduct as soon as reasonably possible.
• What to keep in mind if you are considering canceling your practice permit.

Physiotherapists can start working on their practice permit renewal in advance by:

• Making sure all their employment locations are indicated on their member profile.
• Calculating the hours worked at each practice location where they've worked in the past year.
• Finishing the practice improvement record for their self-selected competence activity now.
• Gathering the other documents they will need, such as their personal professional liability insurance.

No one likes paying late fees. Start the renewal process early to avoid them!

Resources:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Maintain Your Information. Available at https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/maintain_your_information

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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:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Learn. Grow. Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct – What Members Need to Know. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/how_to_maintain_your_registration/do._learn._grow._continuing_competence_program/college_selected_activity#2019_college_selected_activity
• Physiotherapy Alberta. College Conversations. Episode 1: When is a Patient a Patient?https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/college_conversations_episode_1/?course_type%3Alist=Podcasts
• Physiotherapy Alberta. College Conversations. Episode 2: The Dirty Joke.https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/college_conversations_episode_2/?course_type%3Alist=Podcasts&page=3
• Physiotherapy Alberta. College Conversations. Episode 3: Sensitive Practice in Physiotherapy – A Primer. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/college_conversations_episode_3/?course_type%3Alist=Podcasts&page=4

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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:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Annual Report. Available at https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/annual_report

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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.

Resources:

• Physiotherapy Alberta's Statement – Addressing Discrimination, Oppression, and Inequity in Physiotherapy https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/addressing_discrimination_oppression_and_inequity_in_physiotherapy
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action http://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

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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.

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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?

Resources:

• Code of Ethical Conduct: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/code_of_ethical_conduct
• Standards of Practice: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice

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