Reporting Obligations
Reporting Obligations
Regulated health professionals, including physiotherapists, have legal and ethical obligations to make reports to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and other colleges and agencies as required under the Regulated Health Professions Act.
Additionally, people who work with physiotherapists or employ them are required to make mandatory reports about PTs to the College and other organizations in certain situations.
The obligation to submit these reports is outlined in legislation and there are consequences for not filing a report when required.
The most common reporting requirements are outlined in the table below. Please note this list does not include every obligation and should not be considered legal advice.
If you’re ever unsure about these requirements, it’s best to contact us at advice@collegept.org or 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241 and we can help you with your specific situation.
When and Where to Report
Reports must be made as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after the incident. Reports about physiotherapists can be emailed to investigations@collegept.org.
Reports about other regulated health professionals should be sent to their regulatory Colleges. See a complete list of Colleges. In addition, reports must be filed for professions that are overseen by the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (personal support workers).
Who Reports What to Where
| What Happened | The Physiotherapist Themselves | Employer/Facility Operator | All Regulated Health Care Providers (can include PTs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A regulated health care provider is dating a patient | Report to the College of the provider | Report to the College of the provider | Report to the College of the provider |
| A regulated health care provider is having a sexual relationship with a patient | Report to the College of the provider | Report to the College of the provider | Report to the College of the provider |
| A regulated health care provider is saying things to a patient or about a patient that are sexual in nature | Report to the College of the provider | Report to the College of the provider | Report to the College of the provider |
| A regulated health care provider is incompetent or incapacitated | Report to the College of the provider | ||
| A regulated health care provider is terminated because of their conduct, behaviours or lack of knowledge, skills, abilities and professional judgement | Report to the College of the provider | ||
| A regulated health care provider resigns knowing that they may be terminated or they are under investigation or on a performance improvement plan | Report to the College of the provider | ||
| A PT learns that someone, including a PTA is pretending to be a physiotherapist or performing activities that only a physiotherapist can do | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario | ||
| A regulated health care provider is disciplined, suspended or terminated due to a privacy breach | Report to the College of the provider and the Information and Privacy Commissioner | ||
| A child is / has been abused or neglected | Report to the 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 | ||
| There is a situation where there is an immediate risk of harm or death to a person or group of people | Call 911 | ||
| A PT has been charged with an offence | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario | ||
| A PT has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Health Insurance Act or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in any jurisdiction | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario | ||
| A PT is subject of bail conditions or court imposed restrictions in any jurisdiction | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario | ||
| A PT has been found guilty of charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Health insurance Act or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in any jurisdiction | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario | ||
| The PT has gone through a discipline hearing or a fitness to practice (incapacity) hearing in any jurisdiction and there was a finding made | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario | ||
| The PT has been found guilty of negligence or malpractice in a court of law (do not report settlement agreements) | Report to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario |
Notes
Sexual Abuse
If a physiotherapist may have sexually abused a patient or been engaged in a relationship with a former patient discharged from care within the last year, the report must include the name of the physiotherapist. It can only include the name of the patient if the patient provides consent.
Self-Reports
Self-reports are a legal requirement for physiotherapists in Ontario.
Some information from self-reports will appear on the Public Register to help patients make informed decisions about their care. By law, regulatory colleges are required to post all charges and findings under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and the Health Insurance Act.