Volume 17 | June 2018
PT Alberta
Good Practice: Legalization of Cannabis
With legalization of cannabis coming into effect on July 1, 2018, members have voiced questions and concerns about their roles and responsibilities when treating patients who use cannabis. In this article we will discuss some basic information about cannabis, address some important issues physiotherapists need to consider, and provide answers to some of the questions that have been asked.

Research in Focus: Effectiveness of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for Treating Low Back Pain
Back pain affects a significant proportion of the population in Canada, resulting in pain and disability. Physiotherapists routinely treat individuals with both acute and chronic low back pain (LBP) using a range of treatment approaches.

Technology in Practice: Common Technical Controls and Why They Matter
Being aware of and able to explain the use of administrative, physical and technical controls and how they protect private information is central to addressing patient concerns.

Nominate a colleague or student for a 2018 Physiotherapy Alberta Award!
Do you have a colleague who contributes to the physiotherapy profession? Do you know a fellow physiotherapist whose research is focused on improving quality of care or delivery of physiotherapy services? Do you know a physiotherapy student who demonstrates leadership? Nominate them for an award today!

The nomination deadline is midnight July 20, 2018.

Annual Report Now Available
The 2017 Annual Report has been submitted to government so it can be tabled at the Legislature.

Leadership Message

The last days of May have felt like summer and I am sure many of us are looking forward to enjoying some quiet days of summer vacation. If you are interested in some light summer reading, I encourage you to review the 2017 Annual Report.

Volunteer Opportunities

Each year Physiotherapy Alberta hosts a BBQ for students entering the Physical Therapy program at the University of Alberta. If you are interested in contributing an item for us to give away as a door prize, let us know! This is an opportunity for you to get your organization's name out to the new students. For more information, or to donate, email Haylee at horeilly@physiotherapyalberta.ca.
Deputy Registrar Receives CAPR Award
Joyce Vogelgesang, Deputy Registrar, was awarded the CAPR Award of Distinction at the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators Annual General Meeting. Dianne Millette, current Registrar at the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (and former Physiotherapy Alberta Registrar) also received an award of Distinction. This award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to a regulatory organization and/or to physiotherapy regulation in general. Congratulations!
2018 Continuing Competence Requirements

Even though Physiotherapy Alberta is revising its Continuing Competence Program, the current requirement for completing Reflective Practice Review activities remains in effect until the new program is implemented. This means that if you are on the General Register you are required to participate in Reflective Practice Review before renewing your practice permit in August/September 2018.  Your date of admission to the General Register impacts the Reflective Practice activities that must be completed. Consider starting work on your Reflective Practice Review activities now.
Questions or Comments?  competence@physiotherapyalberta.ca, 1-800-291-2782 or 780-438-0338.
Continuing Competence Program: Call For Pilot Testers

It is not too late to sign up as a pilot tester for the New Continuing Competence Program! If you complete all requirements of the pilot, you will be exempt from your reflective practice review for renewal in September 2018. 

We are still looking to recruit at least 10% of our members on the General Register to participate in the pilot test of the new program.

Cauda Equina Syndrome - How Black and White is it Really?
Date: June 14, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m.

Our speakers will provide an overview of the diagnosis of Cauda Equina Syndrome and the patient experience of CES. Clinical best practices for assessment, identification and patient education regarding the condition will be highlighted.

Presenter: Laura Finucane, PT, Sue Greenhalgh, PT, and Chris Mercer, PT
Other News
Veteran Affairs Canada changes to benefit codes for initial visits under Program of Choice (12)- Related Health Services effective May 1, 2018. Click here for more information.

A number of Physiotherapy Alberta's Born to Move videos were nominated for multiple 2018 AMPIA Rosie Awards, including "Best Television Commercial under $50k", "Best Corporate Production - External", and "Best Music Video". Watch all of the Born to Move videos here!
PD Events

Have you checked out the PD Events page recently? This June, there are 10 events happening in and around Alberta!

Evidence Corner

Aerobic, resistance or a combination of both types of exercise therapy appears to be a safe way to improve functional capacity and reduce disability in individuals with chronic disease. Exercise therapy for functional capacity in chronic diseases: an overview of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
Physiotherapy Alberta | 780.438.0338 | info@physiotherapyalberta.ca | www.physiotherapyalberta.ca