The CPTA's College Conversations

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

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

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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/

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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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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 Radiation Protection Act; and
• The Protection for Persons in Care Act.

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:

• The application of OHS legislation to physiotherapy practice.
• The key aims of the legislation and its requirements.
• The roles of both employers and workers.

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!

Resources:

• Physiotherapy Alberta. Standard of Practice – Legislative Responsibilities. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/what_you_need_to_know_to_practice_in_alberta/standards_of_practice/legislative_responsibilities
• Physiotherapy Alberta. Legislation Related to Practice. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/physiotherapists/resources_to_help_you_meet_practice_standards/legislation_related_to_practice
• Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety.aspx
• Government of Alberta. OHS Work Site Inspections: What to Expect. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/c99544f0-57e8-4666-9175-19a90c869339/resource/54010109-ed5a-4eb8-ab9e-11d9dcc71866/download/lbr-ohs-work-site-inspections.pdf
• Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Starter Kit. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460144473
• Physiotherapy Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Online Course. https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/xchange/continuing_professional_development/elearning_center/occupational_health_and_safety/?course_type%3Alist=Online+Course

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