Episode 60 - Legislative Responsibilities – Not Knowing Can Hurt You

05/15/24 • 17 min

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We begin with a discussion of the Radiation Protection Act, which was repealed in 2021, and the legislation established in its place to regulate lasers.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

Links:

Speakers: Jody Prohar and Leanne Loranger

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We begin with a discussion of the Radiation Protection Act, which was repealed in 2021, and the legislation established in its place to regulate lasers.

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

Links:

Previous Episode

Episode 59 - Shifting from Witness to Intervenor – Discussing Bystander Intervention and Physiotherapy

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/

Links:

Next Episode

Episode 61 - Are you ready for your close-up? Video recording in physiotherapy practice

Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger

In this episode, Sean and Leanne discuss video recording in physiotherapy practice settings, including video surveillance, generating recordings of virtual visits, and creating videos of patient instructions or home exercise programs as part of in-person visits.

Physiotherapists usually provide lots of information to clients, and there can be benefits to providing video summaries of information. However, physiotherapists need to consider the privacy, record keeping, and consent issues that arise if they create videos in their practice settings and take steps to proactively address these issues.

Physiotherapists should also consider the potential that a client may record a clinical interaction, either with their knowledge and consent or not.

Resources:

· Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. Video Surveillance in the Private Sector.

· Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Programs.

Links: