The Importance of Mandatory Reporting

The Case 

A physiotherapist was in the middle of an appointment with a new patient when the patient told them something troubling.  

The patient said they had previously seen a different physiotherapist about their issue (ankle pain) but didn’t want to go back.   

“We went out for a drink and had a really awkward kiss after,” the patient said. “I can’t see them again about my ankle, it would be too uncomfortable.” 

The physiotherapist recognized that what the patient was describing was sexual abuse and they had a legal obligation to report it to the College.  

The physiotherapist explained this to the patient and asked for their consent to include their name in the report.  

They also gave the patient information about applying for funding from the College for therapy or counselling.  

After receiving the report, the College began an investigation.  

The Rules 

Reporting Sexual Abuse 

In Ontario, if a regulated health professional learns that another regulated health professional has sexually abused a patient, they must report it.   

The law defines sexual abuse as:  

• Touching a patient in a sexual way that is not required for clinical care 

• Dating or having a sexual relationship with a patient 

• Making sexual remarks to or about a patient  

Reporting rules are the same for all regulated health professionals.

Report concerns about physiotherapists to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. If your concern is about a health professional who is not a physiotherapist, send the report to that professional’s regulatory college. 

These laws exist to protect patients and preserve trust in the health care system.  

Because of the inherent power imbalance, sexual relationships between health care professionals and patients are never consensual and are always considered sexual abuse.  

You must always report sexual abuse, even if the patient tells you they’ve already told another regulated health professional. Don’t assume the other provider has already reported it. Make your own report and take action to prevent further harm to patients. 

The patient’s name can only be included in the report if the patient gives consent. If the patient doesn’t want their name included, you must still file a report but leave their name out.  

Other Mandatory Reports 

Sexual abuse is not the only thing regulated health professionals are legally required to report. 

Here are some more examples of when reports must be made:  

• A regulated health provider is incompetent or incapacitated 

• Someone, including a PTA, is pretending to be a physiotherapist or performing activities that only a physiotherapist can do   

• You are concerned a child is being abused or neglected (report to Children’s Aid Society) 

• A resident of a long-term care home, nursing home or retirement home is at risk of harm (report to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care) 

You don’t have to investigate or verify concerns before reporting. Report the information and the appropriate authority will investigate.  

Not making a mandatory report can have legal consequences including fines. 

But more importantly, by making a report, you protect both the individual patient and the broader public.  

Mandatory reports about physiotherapists can be filed online with the College of Physiotherapists.  

If the concern is about a different regulated health professional, report it to their regulatory college. See a complete list of Colleges.   

Details of this case have been changed to maintain anonymity.   

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