March 2021
PTAlberta
COVID-19 Pandemic
Update: March 3, 2021
On January 29, 2021, Premier Kenney presented the Government of Alberta’s Path Forward Plan to gradually ease public health measures and restrictions. Step 1 of the plan took effect on February 8, and on March 1st, Premier Kenney, Minister Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hinshaw announced a modified Step 2 to take effect immediately. The Step 1 changes had limited impact on physiotherapy practice.
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2021 Council Election
Eight members have been nominated for the 2021 Election! Michael Carlos, Jacky Chow, Jason Dyck, Jon Gabbai, Roya Hamad, Dan Matchullis, Denise McDermott, and Melissa Merritt have all put their names forward!

Two candidates will be elected to serve a three-year term joining fellow colleagues Karin Eldred, Grant Fedoruk, Amarjit Mann, and William Tung.

Voting begins March 24 – look out for an email with a unique link to become a voter!
Good Practice: Transparency of Fee Schedules
Physiotherapy Alberta often receives queries from the public, third-party payers or physiotherapists regarding fees for physiotherapy services.
Research in Focus: Does Strength Training for Chronic Ankle Instability Improve Balance and Patient-Reported Outcomes?
Ankle sprain is the most common sports injury and is associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and recurring ankle injuries. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to “assess the effects of strength training compared with no exercise or neuromuscular control training on balance and patient-reported function in individuals with CAI.”
Member Spotlight: Pinnacle Award of Distinction Recipient
Physiotherapy Alberta is happy to shine our member spotlight on Heather Bredy, the 2020 Pinnacle Award of Distinction recipient. Heather grew up in Fort Saskatchewan, lives and works in Edmonton, and completed her physiotherapy education at the University of Alberta (U of A).
DO. LEARN. GROW.
Self-Selected Activity: There's No Time Like the Present

You can complete your chosen activity anytime during the registration year. The Practice Improvement Record is now available in the Member Portal. You may complete the form as soon as you complete your Self-Selected Activity or anytime before you renew your practice permit. 

2021 College-Selected Activity: Under Construction

The College-Selected Activity is paused while it is being built. Members will be notified when it is ready; watch for an announcement this spring.
Continuing Competence Theory: Effectiveness of Peer Assessment for Implementing a Low Back Pain Guideline
This fourth article in a series on self-assessment and feedback highlights research into peer assessment and feedback and whether it is more effective than case-based discussion to improve knowledge and guideline-consistent clinical reasoning on physical therapy guidelines for low back pain.
College Conversations Podcast

Listen to the College Conversations Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Want to get caught up? Listen from the beginning, all episodes are also available in Physiotherapy Alberta's eLearning Center!
Episode 21
Date: February 15, 2021
Changes are coming to how Physiotherapy Alberta regulates the performance of pelvic health internal examinations by physiotherapists in Alberta. Although pelvic health internal examinations have always been a restricted activity, Physiotherapy Alberta is now transitioning to an authorization process for this activity that is similar to those used for authorizing the performance of spinal manipulation and the use of needles in practice. In this episode we discuss the terminology Physiotherapy Alberta uses to describe this area of physiotherapy practice and what the plans to transition to individual authorization entail. We also address common questions from registrants. Click here to read more.
Adverse Events Related to Dry Needling in Physiotherapy Practice
Date: March 18, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. MST

In this session, Dr. Valdes will discuss research regarding the types and frequency of adverse events related to the practice of dry needling by physiotherapists including:
  • Prevalence of different types of adverse events,
  • Rare but serious adverse events associated with dry needling,
  • Implications for clinical practice.

Presenter
Vanessa Valdes, PT, DPT, L.Ac.
Upcoming Webinars

COPD - Where Are We And Where Are We Going
Date: April 22, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Evidence Corner

This systemic review compared physical function and fitness outcomes in people infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) to determine the effects of exercise following SARS-CoV infection.
Physiotherapy Alberta | 780.438.0338 | info@physiotherapyalberta.ca | www.physiotherapyalberta.ca