January 2019
PT Alberta
2019 Council Election: Nominations Now Open!
Nominations are now open for the 2019 Council Election! Is it time to give back to your profession by putting your name forward? Nominations close January 25.

Good Practice: Why is Charting Such a Big Deal?
We know that most clinicians would rather treat patients than write about treating patients; however, regardless of where physiotherapists have been trained or work, charting has been a consistent expectation for clinicians.

Research in Focus: Clinical Screening Tool to Predict Fall Risk in Older Adults
Balance dysfunction affects a significant proportion of older adults. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a widely used outcome measure to assess balance dysfunction in older adults. However, research related to the use of the Berg to predict fall risk has shown inconsistent results.

Member Spotlight: Thinking Out of the Box
This month we shine our Member Spotlight on Alex Chisholm, who talked about a recent patient experience that made her realize how thinking “out of the box” can make physiotherapy interventions more functional, fun for everyone, and lead to true patient-centered care.

Continuing Competence: New Program Takes Off
Too busy to notice last month’s launch of the new Continuing Competence Program? Here is what your physiotherapist colleague is saying about it, three days after the launch.

Conference Save the Date!
We are excited to announce that Connect + Learn 2019 will be held in beautiful Canmore, Alberta on October 19 & 20th. Mark your calendars!
Physiotherapy Alberta is On the Move

Physiotherapy Alberta is hoping to connect with our members by going on a roadshow in the Spring. We plan to highlight the new Continuing Competence Program, Quality Initiatives, and changes to the Health Professions Act from Bill 21. We will leave plenty of time for discussion and questions. If you are interested in us coming to your area, please contact our office at info@physiotherapyalberta.ca
Volunteer Info

Consider nominating yourself for the 2019 Council Election. Want to learn more about Council Member’s responsibilities and time commitments?

Hypoxic Brain Injury: Clinical Implications & Physiotherapy Management
Date: January 17, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m.

Due to recent medical advances, the survival rates from major medical events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and drug overdose have grown considerably. However, survival of the initial event does not always come without consequences, one of which may include hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI-BI). This presentation will utilize case examples to highlight the presentation of several movement disorders, including ataxia, myoclonus, dystonia, and post-hypoxic parkinsonism. We will provide a framework for clinicians to diagnose these movement systems and help prioritize treatment while utilizing the best available evidence. Through case examples we will address the importance of a transdisciplinary model to optimize outcomes.

Presenter: Kimberly Miczak, PT, MSPT, NCS and Carolyn Tassini, PT, DPT, NCS, CBIS
Physiotherapy Alberta’s New Continuing Competence Program – DO. LEARN. GROW.
Date: January 24, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m.

This webinar will provide an overview of Physiotherapy Alberta’s new continuing competence program, which includes the annual DO. LEARN. GROW. Self-Selected and College-Selected Activities. Information on how the Reflective Practice Review and Jurisprudence activities have been integrated into new program
will be profiled.

By the end of the webinar you will know:
  • How to start your first Self-Selected Activity which allows the choice of continued use of a Reflective Practice Review activity such as your Learning Plan or using something new from an expanded list of activities.
  • Where to find information about the new program.

Presenter: Audrey Lowe, PT
Future Webinars

Complaint?! Me?!
Date: February 21, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m.

Diversity and Inclusion in Physiotherapy Practice
Date: April 18, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Other News
The Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute is running an expression of interest process for co-leads, a Governance Committee and a Shoulder Expert Group to contribute to the development of an Alberta Bone and Joint Health Registry. Applications close January 13, 2019. Learn more and apply here: www.albertaboneandjoint.com/registry

Researchers from the University of Alberta are looking for clinicians to implement an exciting new program for people with low back pain: GLA:D Back Pilot. Like the successful program for the hip and knee, GLA:D Back Pilot uses group-based patient education and structured exercise to create a program of self-care that is easily taught by clinicians and readily adopted by patients.

For this feasibility study, researchers are recruiting certified clinicians from across Alberta who are able to attend a free two-day training course on Feb 9-10, 2018 in Edmonton. Clinicians attending this training session would:
  • Be physiotherapists or chiropractors licensed and in good standing in Alberta.
  • Have experience in treating low back pain.
  • Have access to ~600 ft of open space to conduct group exercise classes of 6-10 patients.
  • Implement the GLA:D Back Pilot program within two months of attending the training session.

Like GLA:D Hip and Knee, GLA:D Back can be offered publicly at AHS/PCN sites (with appropriate permissions) or through private practice where patients are billed per visit (possibly recouped by third party coverage).

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Dr. Greg Kawchuk at the University of Alberta: greg.kawchuk@ualberta.ca
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:



PD Events

Have you checked out the PD Events page recently? This January, there are 3 events happening in and around Alberta!

Evidence Corner

Further support for the use of exercise training as a therapeutic modality to improve cognitive function in individuals at risk of or diagnosed with AD. This meta‐analysis is the first to suggest that aerobic exercise may be more effective than other types of exercise in preserving the cognitive health of older adults at risk of or who have AD.
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