STANDARDS OF PRACTICE IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE IN

PHYSIOTHERAPY

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.

1. ADVERTISING

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that advertising of physiotherapy services and products is not misleading, enables them to make informed choices, and that promotional activities do not unduly influence physiotherapy related decisions.

2. CLIENT ASSESSMENT , DIAGNOSIS ,INTERVENTIONS

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect the physiotherapist to select appropriate assessment tools, make an informed physiotherapy diagnosis, and apply intervention procedures that are carried out proficiently for quality delivery of physiotherapy services.

3.CLIENT CENTERED CARE

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that they will be treated respectfully and their input will be valued, acknowledged, and integrated into all aspects of physiotherapy service delivery.

4. COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the physiotherapist collaborates effectively with others to promote integrated client centered care.

5. COMMUNICATION

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that communication with the physiotherapist will be respectful and professional and will contribute to their understanding and participation in their health management.

6. COMPETENCE

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the services they receive are delivered by a physiotherapist who actively maintains her/ his competence in existing and emerging areas of practice.

7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the physiotherapist delivers services in clients’ best interests and that real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest are disclosed and managed.

8. CONSENT

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that they will be informed of the options, risks, and benefits of proposed services, asked to provide their consent, and that the physiotherapist will respect their right to question, refuse options, and/or withdraw from services at any time.

9. DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING

Standard

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.

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that their physiotherapy records are confidential, accurate, complete, and comply with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

10. EVIDENCE INFORMED PRACTICE

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the physiotherapy services they receive are informed by consideration of the best available evidence, client needs, and the personal knowledge and experience of the physiotherapist.

11. FEES AND BILLING

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that fee schedules and billing practices for physiotherapy services are transparent, justifiable, and clearly communicated.

12. LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the services they receive are delivered by a registered physiotherapist who is in compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements applicable to her/his practice.

13. PERFORMANCE OF RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the physiotherapist is authorized and competent to perform the restricted activities that they apply in practice.

14. PRIVACY /CONFIDENTIALITY

Standard

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.

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that their personal information will be maintained privately and confidentially in accordance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

15. PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect to be treated with integrity and respect, and that the physiotherapist will maintain professional boundaries appropriate to the therapeutic relationship in all interactions.

Colleagues, students and others can expect to be treated with integrity and respect and that the physiotherapist will maintain professional boundaries in all interactions.

16. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that their outcomes are monitored to promote quality physiotherapy services.

17. RISK MANAGEMENT

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that they will be informed of risks inherent to their care, measures will be taken to minimize risks, they will be safe in the care of the physiotherapist, and any adverse events will be disclosed to the patient promptly and transparently.

18. SAFETY

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect to be safe in the care of the physiotherapist and in the practice environment.

19. SEXUAL ABUSE AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Standard

This Standard of Practice is specific to addressing Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct as defined in the Health Professions Act.

The physiotherapist abstains from conduct, behavior or remarks directed towards a patient that constitutes sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.

Expected outcome

A patient can expect physiotherapy services will be free from conduct, behavior or remarks of a sexual nature, and the physiotherapist will maintain professional boundaries appropriate to the therapeutic relationship in all interactions.

20. SUPERVISION

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that they are informed of the role of supervisees and that the services provided by supervisees are supervised by the physiotherapist.

21. USE OF TITLE

Standard

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

Expected outcome

Clients can expect that the physiotherapist uses her/ his protected title to facilitate clear identification during physiotherapy service delivery.

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