Anonymous Call Leads to College Investigation Concerning Improper Use of Title

The College received an anonymous call from a member of the public who was concerned that an individual working at the ABC Town Clinic was saying he was a PT when he wasn’t. The College began an investigation and concluded that Mr. X was holding himself out as a PT.  The College also learned that the clinic employing Mr. X was owned by a physiotherapist.

What is the College requirement?

In Ontario only individuals who are registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario may use the title Physiotherapist or Physical Therapist or the abbreviation PT.  Making sure only qualified, authorized professionals have the privilege of using these titles helps keep the public safe because registrants are accountable for the delivery of professional services.

What happened?

On two separate occasions, an undercover patient received a physiotherapy assessment and treatment from Mr. X. The patient then received an invoice with the name and registration number of the registered PT, not Mr. X. When the patient asked about the discrepancy, the response was that it was easier for the clinic to manage the paperwork and accounts this way.

The Eventual Consequences

The College launched an investigation into the registered PT and presented its findings to the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). The ICRC expressed concern that a member of the profession would knowingly allow a non-member to practice as though they were a registered physiotherapist. The Committee ordered the physiotherapist to participate in a Specified Continuing Education and Remediation Program (SCERP) and to receive an in-person verbal caution from the members of the ICRC. The SCERP included the following:

• Complete a review of all the relevant standards, guides, e-learning modules and College videos on YouTube.
• Attend and complete an ethics course (approx. $2000)
• Attend and complete a record-keeping and business practices course (approx. $800)
• Participate in a coaching program overseen by the College, which could include four onsite visits over three years (approx. $700 per visit)

What happened to Mr. X?

As Mr. X was not a registered physiotherapist, the ICRC was unable to review his conduct. In these types of cases, the College issues cease and desist notices, seeks an injunction against the person in question or pursues the matter through the court system.