Episode 29 - Misinformation and Professional Practice

10/15/21 • 15 min

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/

Links:

Speakers: Jody Prohar, Leanne Loranger

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/

Links:

Previous Episode

Episode 28 - Do You Have a Permit For That?

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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Next Episode

Episode 30 - Scope of Practice and Pandemic Redeployment – Is it Physiotherapy?

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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