Quality Assurance Program
Part of the mission of the College of Physical Therapists of BC* is to develop programs to promote high standards of physical therapy practice. One such program is the Quality Assurance Program.
Since the program is still in development new information will be added as it becomes available.
Why now?
- Changes to the Health Professions Act (HPA)
An amendment to the Health Professions Act in 2007 requires health regulators implement a quality assurance program. Quality assurance refers to a compulsory process that focuses on ensuring compliance with clearly established standards. In other words, this amendment directed the College to develop a program that would provide evidence to support the fact that physical therapists in BC are competent and provide safe, ethical and effective care. More details...
The amendment protects the information collected through participation in a quality assurance program from being used in the investigation of a complaint or any civil proceeding. More...
- Public Perspective
There is increased concern from the public regarding the accountability of health professionals. It is no longer enough to simply state that we are staying current and abreast of new developments and news in our profession; we must be able to provide evidence to support that claim.
An effective way for regulators such as CPTBC to meet this need for accountability is by the assessment of a practitioner’s competence upon entry to the profession, as well as throughout the practitioner’s career on a regular basis. More...
Purpose of the Quality Assurance Program: To monitor and support safe, ethical and effective practice.
The Program framework incorporates three components:
- Annual Self-Report (read more...)
Physical therapist declares competence.
- Registrant Competence Assessment (read more...)
Physical therapist demonstrates competence.
- Practice Support (read more...)
Physical therapist improves competence, if required.
Benefits of the Quality Assurance Program
The program was developed collaboratively, and in partnership with, physical therapists in BC. The Quality Assurance Program:
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Supports physical therapists’ continued competence by expanding their knowledge and understanding of their professional, legal and ethical obligations.
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Provides physical therapists with a structured method for reflection and support, and opportunities for improving their competence.
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Provides physical therapists with a standardized method of demonstrating their competence.
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Assures the public and government that physical therapists are held accountable to a recognized standard.
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Promotes public confidence in the profession.
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And, above all, protects the public providing a safe, supportive environment.
Click here for a full description of the Program's objective, standards, assumptions, guiding principles and design features.
Quick Summary of the Development of the Quality Assurance Program
Much has been accomplished over the last 4-5 years including:
- Completion of QAP framework
- Completion of QAP overview, annotated blueprints and specific content sampling for the Annual Self Report
- Creation of four College committees/subcommittees (i.e. Quality Assurance Committee, Annual Self Report Subcommittee, Registrant Competence Assessment Subcommittee, Communications Subcommittee) and nine item development teams dedicated to the QAP
- Numerous communication efforts with registrants including many informational/educational sessions across the province
- Pre-pilot testing, pilot testing and the September 2010 launch of the online, interactive Annual Self Report
- Refinement of the blueprint for the RCA
Click here for important dates and significant milestones for the Quality Assurance Program.
More Information
For information on the Annual Self Report, please email Susan Paul.
For information on the Registrant Competence Assessment, please email Olga Nesic.
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* The College of Physical Therapists of BC will be additionally referred to as "CPTBC" or "the College" in this document.
