Episode 71 - A Deep Dive into Virtual Care - Avoiding Regulatory Concerns

Speakers: Sean FitzGerald and Leanne Loranger   In 2025 a new standard of practice related to virtual care by Alberta physiotherapists came into effect. On this episode, Sean and Leanne discuss the history and evolution of the regulation of virtual care by the CPTA and the expectations physiotherapists need to meet when providing virtual physiotherapy services. They highlight the resources available to help physiotherapists understand what is required when providing virtual care, including the Virtual Care Guide published in 2025.   Much has changed in the virtual health care sector since the College’s original Telerehabilitation Guide was published in 2018, for example in terms of the number of physiotherapists providing virtual care, the profession’s collective level of experience with use of virtual care, and the different models and applications of virtual care used by physiotherapists. Both physiotherapists and physiotherapy regulatory organizations have become more experienced and knowledgeable in how virtual care can be used to deliver physiotherapy services and as a result regulation and our guidance to registrants about virtual care in physiotherapy practice has evolved.   Despite the changing virtual care environment, one thing remains constant: the expectations for physiotherapy service delivery using virtual care technologies, in terms of quality, safety, and effectiveness, are no different than those for in-person services. Listen to this episode to learn more about virtual physiotherapy services and how you can achieve this objective!   Resources: ·       Virtual Care Standard of Practice - https://www.cpta.ab.ca/for-physiotherapists/regulatory-expectations/standards-of-practice/virtual-care/ ·       Virtual Care Guide -  Links: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Google Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify