If you are familiar with professional regulation in Alberta, you may know that regulatory colleges like the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta are different from colleges that provide education to students. Regulatory colleges are given their authority by the government of Alberta and are required to serve and safeguard the public through the regulation of the professions. You will find regulatory bodies are in place for most health professions as well as other professions such as lawyers, engineers, and more.
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s main goal is to provide a means in which you can feel safe and confident that your physiotherapist is competent to provide the care you need. The core functions of the College are to:
- Register all physiotherapists working in Alberta.
- Develop and require physiotherapists to complete continuing competence programs to maintain their registration.
- Develop standards of practice and a code of ethical conduct for physiotherapists to follow while registered.
- Provide a means by which patients and the public can file a complaint about a physiotherapist’s practice.
The CPTA engages in several activities related to these core functions to regulate physiotherapists in Alberta. In this article, we will focus on two of these functions and what that means to you as a member of the public and a potential physiotherapy client.
Registration
To be registered with the CPTA a physiotherapist must be able to show that they have met the requirements to enter the profession. They will have demonstrated that they have the necessary entry to practice education. All physiotherapists must also pass an entry-to-practice examination. They must then apply to be registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta.
Physiotherapists who have an active practice permit in Alberta are subject to the College’s rules. These rules include following the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethical Conduct put forth by the College. This also includes compliance with governing legislation including the Health Professions Act and other legislation such as privacy laws. These requirements define the expectations for how a physiotherapist will provide services to you. They are in place to help ensure that you receive quality, safe, and effective care.
Use of Title
Alberta legislation requires that only physiotherapists who have an active practice permit from the College can call themselves physiotherapists, physical therapists, or use the abbreviation “PT.” This helps to ensure that the physiotherapist you are being treated by has gone through the appropriate schooling and meets the requirements to deliver safe, quality, and effective physiotherapy services in Alberta.
However, you may also come across those using the titles physiotherapist intern, physical therapy intern, or PT intern. These individuals have been admitted to the College’s Provisional Register and are subject to the same Standards of Practice and Code of Ethical Conduct as all other physiotherapists in Alberta, but they must practice under the supervision of a physiotherapist on the General Register. You can read more about the difference between physiotherapists and physiotherapist interns here.
As a regulatory college, there are things that the government requires the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta to do. There are some things that we do not do. Below you will find a list of common things we are asked about but do not regulate.
1. Fees
The College does not set or negotiate fees for physiotherapy services. The Government of Alberta does not allow regulatory colleges to set fees or negotiate fees for the services provided by their registrants.
Physiotherapists are required to establish their own fees for services. There are many things that affect a fee for service, including:
- Market forces – these would be things such as supply and demand, actions of those receiving services, and those delivering services that can alter the cost of services provided.
- Business overhead – these would be things such as the cost of rent, maintenance, equipment, etc.
- Business models – these are things like the nature of the services provided such as the specific treatment methods or the duration of appointments provided to clients.
2. Financial Compensation and Civil Litigation
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta helps protect the public by investigating potential breaches of our Standards of Practice and Code of Ethical Conduct. You can read more specifically about the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s complaint process here. However, the College does not get involved in matters which should be decided by a court or another administrative body like disputes with an employee or financial compensation. The College also does not arrange for refunds or compensation for services provided by physiotherapists.
3. Advocacy for the profession
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s role is to safeguard the public and to work in the public’s interests. The College does not promote or advocate on behalf of the profession. That is the role of a professional association. You can read more about the differences between Colleges and Associations here.
4. Help you find the right physiotherapist for you
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta has a section on our website where you can Verify a Physiotherapist. This directory will help you confirm if you’re receiving treatment from a physiotherapist who is currently registered in Alberta as well as their employment location, history of registration in Alberta, past complaint findings, and current complaint matters.
This article offers some advice on how to find a physiotherapist that is right for you.
Sean FitzGerald, PT
