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Standards of Practice

Standards: Standards refer to the expected level of physiotherapist performance, for qualification to practice, clinical care, and professional practice that results in safe, ethical and effective physiotherapy service.

Introduction

Standards of practice are one component of a continuum of documents including codes of ethics, position statements, practice guidelines, essential competencies, and entry-to-practice milestones which direct the practice of professionals to provide quality care.

Advertising

The physiotherapist advertises in a manner that is truthful, accurate, verifiable, not misleading to the public, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Advertising Standard of Practice

Client Assessment, Diagnosis, Interventions

The physiotherapist demonstrates proficiency in client assessment, diagnosis, and interventions to deliver quality client-centered services.

Client Assessment, Diagnosis, Interventions Standard of Practice

Client-Centered Care

The physiotherapist integrates a client-centered approach in all aspects of physiotherapy service delivery.

Client-Centered Care Standard of Practice

Collaborative Practice

The physiotherapist promotes collaborative practice with clients, health-care team members, and other stakeholders to support the delivery of integrated, quality, client-centered care.

Collaborative Practice Standard of Practice PDF

Communication

The physiotherapist communicates clearly, effectively, professionally, and in a timely manner to support and promote quality services.

Communication Standard of Practice

Conflict of Interest

The physiotherapist must identify and avoid, or manage any real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

Conflict of Interest Standard of Practice

Consent

The physiotherapist obtains clients’ ongoing informed consent for the delivery of physiotherapy services.

Consent Standard of Practice

Continuing Competence

The physiotherapist practices within their level of competence and actively pursues continuous lifelong learning to maintain competence in existing and emerging areas of their practice.

Continuing Competence Standard of Practice

Documentation and Record Keeping

The physiotherapist maintains documents/records that are accurate, legible and complete, written in a timely manner, and in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

Documentation and Record Keeping Standard of Practice

Dual Registration

The physiotherapist who is also registered as a member of another regulated health profession in Alberta administers each health service as a separate and distinct entity, and informs the client of their role when providing each distinct health-care service.

Dual Registration Standard of Practice

Evidence-Informed Practice

The physiotherapist incorporates evidence-informed practice in all aspects of physiotherapy service delivery.

Evidence-Informed Practice Standard of Practice

Fees and Billing

The physiotherapist is responsible for ensuring that the fees charged for physiotherapy services are transparent and justifiable to enable clients to make informed choices.

Fees and Billing Standard of Practice

Infection Control

The physiotherapist complies with infection prevention and control measures to support the health and safety of clients, health-care providers, her/himself, and others.

Infection Control Standard of Practice

Legislative Responsibilities

The physiotherapist practices in compliance with all the legislative and regulatory requirements of their jurisdiction.

Legislative Responsibilities Standard of Practice

Performance of Restricted Activities

The physiotherapist performs restricted activities that they are competent and authorized to perform, within the context of physiotherapy practice, and when client assessment findings support their use.

Performance of Restricted Activities Standard of Practice

Privacy/Confidentiality

The physiotherapist respects clients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality of personal information including health, financial, and other information by practicing in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

Privacy/Confidentiality Standard of Practice

Professional Boundaries

The physiotherapist acts with professional integrity and maintains appropriate professional boundaries with clients, colleagues, students and others.

Professional Boundaries Standard of Practice

Quality Improvement

The physiotherapist engages in quality improvement activities to promote quality physiotherapy services.

Quality Improvement Standard of Practice

Risk Management

The physiotherapist participates in risk management activities to promote quality physiotherapy services.

Risk Management Standard of Practice

Safety

The physiotherapist promotes and maintains a safe environment for clients, health-care providers, her/himself, and others to support quality services.

Safety Standard of Practice

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct

This Standard of Practice establishes who is considered a patient for the purpose of a complaint of unprofessional conduct in relation to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct and the performance requirements of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta members.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice

Supervision

The physiotherapist is responsible and accountable for the physiotherapy services provided by personnel working under her/his supervision (supervisees).

Supervision Standard of Practice

Use of Title

The physiotherapist uses her/his title, credentials, and other designations to clearly identify her/himself to clients, other health providers, and the public.

Use of Title Standard of Practice

Glossary

References

Standards of Practice:
PDF Version

Page updated: 15/07/2024