Perspectives: December 2024 Issue

Please Review These Updated Standards

Following their approval by the Board earlier this month, the following new standards will go into effect on February 1, 2025:

These updated requirements must be followed by all physiotherapists and physiotherapist residents. They will replace the following existing standards, which are being rescinded on February 1, 2025:

• Collaborative Care Standard
• Conflict of Interest Standard
• Infection Control and Equipment Maintenance Standard

Please ensure you’ve reviewed the new standards in full, and feel free to reach out to our Practice Advice team if you have any questions.

Registrar’s Reflections: Taking Stock of 2024 and Looking Forward to 2025

Join us on November 19 for a free, live webinar focused on the first group of updated standards, which went into effect on August In this month’s blog post, Registrar and CEO Craig Roxborough reflects on 2024 and shares four things he’s looking forward to in the coming year.

From further Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work to new opportunities for collaboration, there’s plenty planned in 2025.

After you read the blog, we invite you to leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Case of the Month: PT Fired for Accessing Family’s Patient Records

Personal health information is protected by law in Ontario.

Even if the information relates to a practitioner’s own family members, deliberate, unauthorized access raises serious legal and ethical issues.

We explore the consequences for one physiotherapist in a new Case of the Month.

Featured Standard: Titles, Credentials, and Specialty Designations

This standard came into effect on November 1, 2024. It requires a physiotherapist use their title and other credentials to clearly identify themselves to patients, other health-care providers, and the public, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Physiotherapy Act.

Top five highlights from the Titles, Credentials, and Specialty Designations Standard:

1. Display Your Title Clearly and Correctly
   
   Always use your protected title (e.g., Physiotherapist or PT) after your name in professional interactions, making sure the title aligns with your registration certificate type.
2. Avoid Misleading Title Use
   
   Do not use your protected title in a way that could be false, misleading, or deceptive, especially when engaged in activities outside the scope of physiotherapy practice.
3. Ensure Your Academic Credentials Have Meaning
   
   Use entry-to-practice academic credentials that have been conferred by accredited programs. Ensure all other academic credentials are listed accurately and in a manner that has meaning for the public.
4. Don’t Use “Doctor”
   
   Even if you hold a doctorate, it is against the law to use the title “Dr.” when providing physiotherapy services.
5. Specialty Designations Must Be Approved
   
   Only use the title “Specialist” if you have a College-approved certification, and make sure it’s properly listed after your protected title.

Make sure you’ve reviewed the full Titles, Credentials, and Specialty Designations Standard.