September 2019
PT Alberta
2019 Connect + Learn: What you need to know
Connect + Learn is just 6 weeks away! Have you made your plans to attend?

We know it can be hard to plan too far in advance but hopefully you now have some idea of what the fall will bring. It’s not too late to join us in Canmore. Here’s what you need to know:

What? A weekend jam-packed with learning, networking and inspiration. Connect with Council, Physiotherapy Alberta staff, and peers from across the province. Learn from leaders in the world of physiotherapy. Escape to the Rocky Mountains and recharge.

Where? The Coast Canmore Hotel, in Canmore, Alberta.

When? October 19 + 20, 2019

Why? Physiotherapy Alberta believes that we have a role in helping physiotherapists succeed in delivering high quality, effective care. Every second year we offer a conference featuring topics that are clinically or professionally relevant, helping you to stay ahead of the curve. When you win, so does everyone else.

Who? Clinicians, physiotherapy leaders, clinic owners, and managers, speakers from Alberta, and across Canada, Physiotherapy Alberta Council members, and most importantly YOU!

How? Book your registration and hotel accommodation today. Getting there is easy too – just grab a seat on the conference bus, leave the driving to the pros and start the networking early.
DO. LEARN. GROW.
Self-Selected Activity: Reflective vs. Rushed Storytelling

Many of us have “To Do” lists and may try to use the few minutes we have between patients to cross tasks off our list. For physiotherapists, completing the Practice Improvement Record (PIR) and your renewal is likely on the list this month. Is rushing to complete the PIR in a time pressure situation of any value in a Learning and Thinking sense?

2019 College-Selected Activity: Complete Even if you Plan to Renew or Cancel your Registration  

Completion of the 2019 College-Selected Activity is required of all members on the General Register for the 2018/19 registration year (October 1, 2018 until September 30, 2019). This expectation holds true for both physiotherapists who will be renewing their practice permit as well as physiotherapists who plan to cancel their registration when it expires at the end of September. 

Renew Your Practice Permit

Registrants may now renew their practice permit for the 2019/2020 registration year. While your current practice permit does not expire until September 30, 2019, you must renew by midnight September 15 to avoid paying the $130 late fee.

Good Practice: Health Coaching Strategies to Facilitate Behavior Change
For many years, physiotherapists, physiotherapy associations and others have been saying that we have a role in health promotion, prevention, and population health initiatives. While here at Physiotherapy Alberta we agree that there is a clear role for physiotherapists to be involved in this type of practice, the route forward is not always clear. To assist with this process, Physiotherapy Alberta has released the Introduction to Health Coaching for Physiotherapists Toolkit.

Research in Focus: Smartphone Oximeter Use During Exercise in Individuals with Chronic Lung Disease
Strong evidence exists that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can lead to significant improvements in mortality, exercise capacity, health-related quality of life, perceived dyspnea, and the incidence of acute exacerbations for individuals living with COPD. Access to PR programs due to geographic barriers and a mismatch between patient volumes and program capacity are key issues limiting patient participation. One approach to address these access issues is the use of telerehabilitation to deliver PR.

Volunteer information

The 2020 Skate Canada Challenge is being held in Edmonton, Alberta from November 27 to December 1, 2019 at the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre. Over 550 figure skaters and 350 coaches and officials are expected to attend. Medical Volunteers are required for rink side coverage of practice and competition rinks (up to 4 rinks) as well as the medical treatment room providing care (initial assessment and minor treatment) for acute issues that may arise during the course of the event as well as medical issues that may occur on ice. Click here for more information.
Common Medications and Their Impact on Function
Date: September 19, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m. MDT

The functional implications of medications will be reviewed in relation to musculoskeletal effects, falls, and considerations related to opioids. The presentation will include a review of the evidence and practical steps for physiotherapy assessment and therapeutic interventions.

Presenters: Allyson Jones, PT, PhD, and Cheryl Sadowski, B.Sc. (Pharm) Pharm. D.
Upcoming Webinars

New Directions in Whiplash and Trauma
Date: October 24, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Other News
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators is looking for examiners for the November Clinical Competent in Edmonton. Eligibility Requirements:
  1. Fully registered as a physiotherapist and in good standing with your home province/territory
  2. Are not required to do the Physiotherapy Competency Examination in the future. Physiotherapists who have graduated since December 31, 1993 and have not successfully completed the competency examination, might be required to complete the examination if they move to another province. Such physiotherapists are not eligible to be examiners, as they would have an unfair advantage should they need to complete the examination.
  3. Have completed a minimum one-year waiting period since graduation. The waiting period serves two purposes. The first is to allow the newly registered to gain some clinical experience. The second is to avoid having examiners evaluating recent classmates.
  4. Have no conflict of interest with a candidate.
  5. Have experience in:
  • One or more areas of clinical expertise such as acute care, long term care, community care or private practice
  • Direct client care or educational settings
The application form can be found here: https://www.alliancept.org/get-involved/forms/

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has announced a change to the “Physiotherapist – Subsequent (Acupuncture) visit” in Alberta under Program of Choice (POC) 12 – Related Health Services, effective September 1, 2019. Click here for more information.
Learn together with your colleagues in an easy-to-use forum community. Beyond the forum, you get access to resources, course reviews, industry news and the latest ignite podcasts. Join nearly 3,000 physiotherapists from across Canada! These are just some of the great discussions happening on ignitephysio:



Professional Development Events

Have you checked out the PD Events page recently? This September, there are 7 events happening in and around Alberta!

Physiotherapy Alberta | 780.438.0338 | info@physiotherapyalberta.ca | www.physiotherapyalberta.ca