Newsletter | November 2024

Quality Assurance Update

ALP learning and eLearning module archive

Annual Learning Plan: What We Learned

Every year, each OT sets goals related to the national competencies in their Annual Learning Plan. The top 5 competencies OTs selected in 2024 for goal setting were:

1. Engage in ongoing learning and professional development
2. Maintain professional documentation
3. Contribute to the learning of OTs and others
4. Promote anti-oppressive behaviour and culturally safer, inclusive relationships
5. Manage the assignment of services to assistants and others

Annual eLearning Module: Archive



This year's eLearning module Record-Keeping – More Than Just a Note, is now available in the Annual eLearning Module archive in English and French.

Ontario Government Increases Support for Veterans

New increased financial assistance and community supports for veterans

Oversight Body for PSWs

The Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority

Coming Soon: Board Elections in Toronto and Peel Region

Upcoming Election in District 1

The upcoming 2025 Board of Directors elections will take place in District 1 (Central). There are two positions available in this district.

Reminder: We reduced the number of electoral districts from six to three. Your district may have changed. Review the electoral districts to see if your area is up for election.

Electoral District 1 (Central) includes Toronto and Peel Region

Nominations open Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Save the Date: Elections Webinar

Join Elinor Larney for a webinar on December 10, 2024 @ 12:15-1 p.m.

College Registrar and CEO Elinor Larney will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. about the upcoming Board of Directors election in District 1.

Governance at the College has changed. This is a great opportunity to learn about how you can get involved with the profession and what it means to be on the Board of Directors.

You can submit your questions in advance and register for the webinar now.

Practice Q&A

Gift giving

You asked us: Can I accept a gift from my client?

A reminder to OTs about gift giving. As the holiday season approaches, occupational therapists may start receiving gifts from patients or clients. While these gestures are often well-intentioned, they can also inadvertently affect professional interactions. 

Ontario Health Osteoarthritis Quality Standard

Ontario Health updated and expanded their Osteoarthritis Quality Standard

Ontario Health has released an updated quality standard on osteoarthritis. Originally released in 2018, the Osteoarthritis: Care for Adults With Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Hip, or Hand quality standard has been expanded to include osteoarthritis of the shoulder and updated to align with the most recent clinical evidence.

Please review and share the updated quality standard and accompanying resources such as the quick reference placemat, patient guide, and technical specifications.

For more information, please contact QualityStandards@OntarioHealth.ca.

Insights from Investigations

Responding to Investigations - Part 2: Insights and Accountability

In the April newsletter, we wrote about the importance of OTs responding to investigations in a measured and reasonable manner when recounting their version of events.

Insight and accountability are equally important when participating in the investigation process. Learn why and how these factors can effect outcomes.

Annual Report

The College's 2024 Annual Report is now available on our website. Read the report and see what we accomplished together this year.

You can view the 2024 Annual Report in English and French.

Connect with Us

November Poll

Concerns about using AI

Thank you for participating in our poll!

Our Practice Team recently released a Q&A about using AI in occupational therapy practice. You can view this resource on our website.

In October we asked you about demographic data collection and what you would like to receive more details about.

We received 73 votes and here's how you voted:

• 11% said "Why data will be collected." (8 votes)
• 12% said "How data will be used." (9 votes)
• 1% said "How data will be stored." (1 vote)
• 0% said "Privacy of data." (0 votes)
• 7% said "How data will not be used by College programs (For example: QA or ICRC)." (7 votes)
• 69% said "All of the above." (50 votes)

Additional information and resources are being developed to address all topics and will be posted on the website. We will be sharing more information to answer your questions and concerns in the coming months. Additional comments? Please send to info@coto.org.