Perspectives
Reading Perspectives is the best way to stay up to date with news and updates from the College. It’s also packed full of helpful resources for physiotherapists.
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For more information, please contact communications@collegept.org
Reminder: New Standards Coming into Effect February 1
A friendly reminder that the following new standards will go into 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 They will replace the following existing standards, which are being rescinded on February 1, 2025: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.
As with past batches of new standards, you can expect an email from the College on Friday, January 31 with the most important highlights to know about each.
Let’s Talk Data: An Update on Our Journey
Understanding who makes up the physiotherapy profession in Ontario is essential for our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work but there are important considerations when collecting that data.
In this month’s blog post, Registrar and CEO Craig Roxborough details the College’s evolving approach to demographic data collection and where the conversation goes from here.
Case of the Month: Patient Safety is Paramount
Patients should expect to be safe in the care of a physiotherapist and any patient safety incidents must be addressed appropriately.
In a new case of the month, we explore how one PT correctly managed and mitigated risks and what they did to respond when a patient was hurt.
Featured Standard: Evidence-Informed Practice
This standard came into effect on November 1, 2024. It means patients can expect that the physiotherapy services they receive are informed by the best available, credible evidence, the personal knowledge, training, and experience of the physiotherapist, and the patient’s perspective.
Top five highlights from the Evidence-Informed Practice Standard:
1) Patient-Centered Care Is Always Evidence-Informed
Combine credible evidence, your clinical experience, and the patient’s preferences to deliver personalized and evidence-informed care.
2) Evaluate the Evidence
Critically assess the evidence before integrating it into treatment to make sure it’s relevant for your patient and practice setting. Regularly evaluate your treatments based on patient outcomes.
3) Promote Quality Information
Make sure any information you share with patients or others (including through social media) is grounded in evidence.
4) Use Caution with Emerging or Complementary Therapies
When considering emerging or complementary treatments, be aware of any legal requirements, ensure you have the knowledge and skills to provide the treatment safely, and obtain informed consent from your patient.
5) When in Doubt, Follow the Evidence
Always offer, or confirm that the patient has had, proven, evidence-informed treatments first before considering emerging therapies. Only consider emerging therapies when appropriate and clearly explained to the patient. Make sure you’ve reviewed the full Evidence-Informed Practice Standard.
Myth vs Fact
Before using a new modality, I need to check that it has been approved by Health Canada for use as a physiotherapy treatment.
Is this a myth or a fact?
Practice Advice Question
I need a refresher on how to evaluate research articles. Where can I learn about levels of evidence again?
CIHI Releases 2023 Health Workforce Data
Physiotherapists may be interested in reviewing the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s State of the Health Workforce In Canada, 2023 report.
The report tracks workforce trends among primary care providers including family doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.
Highlights from Physiotherapist Data
- The proportion of physiotherapists working in hospitals and long-term care homes is decreasing with more now employed in community settings, a category which includes private clinics, home care and public health units. In 2014, 43% of Ontario physiotherapists listed a hospital as their primary work site. In 2023 that number was 31%.
- In Ontario, physiotherapists aged 40 to 49 represent the largest age cohort, accounting for 32% of the workforce in 2023. By comparison, 29% of Ontario physiotherapist are in their 30s and 25% are in their 50s.
- The number of internationally educated physiotherapists is increasing across Canada. Nationally, in 2014, just 14% of the physiotherapist workforce was internationally educated, in 2023 that number was 24% (in Ontario it was 33%).
Join CAPR’s Item Development Committee
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) is looking for physiotherapists to join its Item Development Committee to create content for exams.
Committee members will receive an $1,000 annual honorarium for their work and be part of improving and modernizing physiotherapy entry-to-practice assessments in Canada.
The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.
Learn About Running for the College Board at Our Webinar
Two seats on the College’s Board of Directors are up for election this year and nominations are now open.
This spring, physiotherapists in District 1 South Western and District 2 Central Western will vote to elect new Board Directors.
Board Directors make decisions about how physiotherapy is practiced and regulated in Ontario, shaping the future of the profession and serving the public interest.
If you’re curious about running – or just want to learn more about College governance – we encourage you to join our webinar: Answering Your Questions About the 2025 Board Elections.
The webinar will run from 6:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 6. It will be recorded for those who can’t attend live.
Registrar and CEO Craig Roxborough will be joined by two current Board Directors, Carole Baxter and Kirsten Pavelich.
The presenters will cover what Board Directors do, the time commitment, remuneration, election process and more. They’ll also take questions from attendees.
Pre-registration is not required.
Welcome New Registrants
The College would like to welcome our newly registered physiotherapists.
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