NPAG - Physiotherapy Alberta

1 NPAG. Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada (2017). Table of contents Acknowledgements 3. Essential Competencies and Entry-to-Practice Milestones 4. Context of Physiotherapy Practice 5. Organizational Structure 6. Definitions of Key Terms 7. Statement of Entry-to-Practice Proficiency 7. Essential Competencies and Entry-to-Practice Milestones ! Physiotherapy Expertise 8. Communication 11. Collaboration 12. Management 13. Leadership 15. Scholarship 16. Professionalism 18. Glossary 20. Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada 2. Acknowledgements The development of the Competency Profile for The Competency Profile Physiotherapists in Canada was made possible through the for Physiotherapists in collaboration of numerous organizations and individuals.

2 This Canada (2017) replaces National Physiotherapy Advisory Group (NPAG) initiative was led the Essential Competency by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) Profile for Physiotherapists in and the Canadian Council of Physiotherapy University Programs Canada (2009), the Essential (CCPUP). Contributing organizations included Physiotherapy Competency Profile for Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) and the Canadian Physiotherapists in Canada . (2004) and the Competency Profile Physiotherapy Association (CPA). for Entry-Level Physiotherapists in Canada (1998). The Steering Group, consisting of Michael Brennan, Kathy Davidson, Richard Debigar , Brandy Green, Keith Johnson, Sharon Switzer-McIntyre, Bernadette Martin, Katya Masnyk, Sue Murphy, and Linda Woodhouse provided the leadership for the project.

3 A dedicated Subject Matter Expert Group that included physiotherapists from across the country contributed content expertise. The Subject Matter Expert Group included: Robyn Davies, Alison Greig, Stephanie Lurch, Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, Bernadette Martin, H l ne Moffet, William Tung, and Todd Wolansky. David Cane of Catalysis Consulting Ltd. and Diane Parker-Taillon of Parker-Taillon Consulting Inc. served as project consultants. The high quality of their work is recognized and appreciated by all involved in this project. Finally, NPAG is grateful for the input, direction, and guidance provided by both the subject matter expert team and the over 1,000 registered physiotherapists across Canada who responded thoughtfully to the practice survey.

4 These contributions have ensured that the information presented is both valid and grounded in the realities of day-to-day practice. Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada 3. Essential Competencies &. Entry-to-Practice Milestones This fourth-generation competency profile is experts (clinicians and educators) drawn from a foundational document that describes the across the country worked over a six-month essential competencies required of a physio- period to generate associated content. Input therapist in Canada throughout their career and gathered from a series of focus groups with specific milestones expected of a physiother- key stakeholder groups and recent scholarly apist at entry to the profession.

5 The point of literature was also incorporated. The draft set entry-to-practice is particularly significant as it of competencies and milestones was then represents the time at which learners become validated via a national survey of practising clinicians. It is also the endpoint of the formal physiotherapists. Subject matter experts involvement of program accreditors and educa- reviewed survey results in depth and proffered tors and the starting point of regulation, continu- a set of final adjustments and recommendations ing professional development, and specializa- to the NPAG Steering Committee. On May 3, tion.

6 2017 these recommendations were reviewed and accepted. Since that time, all four NPAG. The Essential Competencies and member organizations have officially approved Entry-to-Practice Milestones are intended and endorsed the Essential Competencies and to provide guidance in a number of areas Entry-to-Practice Milestones through motions of including: informing curriculum content, setting their respective Boards or Councils. accreditation standards, developing exam blueprints, and establishing a baseline for areas of specialization. A robust methodology based on industry best practices was used to develop the material herein.

7 A team of nine subject matter Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada 4. Context of Physiotherapy Practice i. Description of Physiotherapy Practice ii. Contexts of Practice iii. Assumptions Physiotherapists are primary Physiotherapists work within A number of overarching as- health care practitioners who diverse contexts of practice sumptions apply to all compe- consult and collaborate with which include consideration tencies described herein. clients and others to provide of the types of clients, areas quality client-centred services. of practices, type and goals of 1. Physiotherapists practise Physiotherapists contribute to Physiotherapy service, practice client-centred care and only keeping people productive settings, and funding models.

8 Act with the client's informed throughout their lives by maxi- The contexts of practice are consent;. mizing function and improving interrelated and also influence 2. Physiotherapy practice is quality of life. Through evi- the roles and competencies evidence-informed, and;. dence-informed practice, phys- that individual physiotherapists 3. Client safety is paramount. iotherapists prevent, assess, require to practise safely and and treat the impact that injury, effectively. pain, disease, and/or disorders have on clients' movement, function, and health status. Physiotherapists practise both independently and as part of interprofessional teams along the health system continuum from primary to tertiary care.

9 Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada 5. Organizational Structure A roles-based framework, retained from the 2009 Essential Competency Profile, is used as an organizational principle. The Essential Competencies and Entry-to-Practice Milestones are set out under seven domains of Physiotherapy practice, as follows: 1. Physiotherapy Expertise 2. Communication 3. Collaboration 4. Management 5. Leadership 6. Scholarship 7. Professionalism Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada 6. Definitions of Key Terms Essential competency: Entry-to-practice: Entry-to- Proficiency: Proficiency is the An essential competency practice is the point in time expected level of performance is a required ability of a following completion of associated with the milestones physiotherapist.

10 Education and assessment at a defined point in the career. (at the point of licensure as a Milestone: A milestone is an physiotherapist). Entry-to-practice proficiency: ability that is expected of a Entry-to-practice proficiency physiotherapist at a specific Entry-to-practice milestone: is the expected level of stage in the career. It is related An entry-to-practice milestone performance associated with to an essential competency. is an ability that is expected the milestones at entry-to- of a physiotherapist at entry- practice. It is described below. to-practice. It is related to an essential competency. Statement of Entry-to-Practice Entry-to-practice Autonomy: They are aware Organization: They practise in physiotherapists have the of and work within the an organized manner but may ability and responsibility to use Physiotherapy scope of require more time to complete their broad knowledge base practice.