In this episode, PABC CEO Andrea Burton and Director of Advocacy & Research Jason Craig reflect on how the association has evolved in recent years and discuss the growing role of advocacy in advancing the profession. They explore the shift from traditional member services toward strategic, evidence-informed advocacy, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building, collaboration, and long-term planning to influence healthcare policy.

Andrea and Jason share updates on key initiatives, including scope optimization, diagnostic imaging, primary care integration, ICBC improvements, and the changing healthcare landscape under the Health Professions and Occupations Act. They also discuss why advocacy differs from activism, the value of compelling patient stories alongside research evidence, and how PABC is engaging members through focused task forces to help shape the profession's future.

Whether you're interested in healthcare policy, leadership, or the future of physiotherapy in BC, this conversation provides an inside look at the work happening behind the scenes to strengthen the profession and improve patient care.

Tune in to hear how thoughtful advocacy, strong partnerships, and member engagement are helping position physiotherapy as an increasingly influential voice in British Columbia's healthcare system.

Topics discussed include: 

• Charting expectations under the HPOA  

• Documentation during complaints and audits  

• Informed consent and ongoing consent  

• AI scribes and privacy considerations  

• Record retention requirements  

• Resources to support compliant charting practices 

Resources mentioned: 

The Write Stuff  

They discuss the GLA:D program—an internationally recognized approach combining patient education, structured exercise, and outcome tracking—and its impact on pain, function, and quality of life. 

The conversation also explores how the program supports group-based care, improves accessibility, and can reduce reliance on surgery. Allison highlights current gaps in British Columbia and ongoing efforts to expand clinician training, referrals, and access to the program across the province. 

  Links discussed: 

GLA:D Canada Annual Report 

'I do hope more people can benefit from it.': The qualitative experience of individuals living with osteoarthritis who participated in the GLA:D™ program in Alberta, Canada 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38381756/ 

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Total Knee Replacement 

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1505467?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 

Barriers and Facilitators for the Implementation of an Osteoarthritis Management Programs in a Low-Income Setting: An Exploratory Study of Malawian Physical Therapists 

https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2026.13317 

How to Contact Allison 

Allison.ezzat@bcchr.ca 

This conversation explores why charting is not just a professional requirement, but also a critical safeguard for clinicians, clinic owners, and patients. 

In this episode, they discuss: 

• Why proper charting is essential for professional accountability and risk management 

• How direct billing creates additional obligations for clinic owners, even after a clinician has left the practice 

• Why unsigned or incomplete charts can become a major issue during an audit 

• The importance of writing chart notes that are clear, thorough, and understandable to a third party 

• Practical tips for clinicians, including: 

• Starting chart notes during or immediately after the session 

• Signing off chart notes within a reasonable timeframe 

• Including enough detail to stand alone as a complete clinical record 

• Practical tips for clinic owners, including: 

• Monitoring documentation habits across the team 

• Using charting software tools to identify incomplete records 

• Having regular check-ins and reminders with clinicians 

Key takeaway:  Strong documentation protects the therapist, supports continuity of care, helps justify treatment, and can make a major difference if an audit or complaint arises. 

Cassie also shares practical strategies clinics can use to support strong documentation habits, from onboarding and monthly audits to clear expectations and supportive follow-up.

In this episode of New Directions, Jason sits down with physiotherapist and PABC team member Patrick Dessaulles to explore how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can deepen therapeutic relationships, support behaviour change, and reduce burnout for clinicians. Patrick explains the “spirit” of MI, why ambivalence is normal, and how a few core communication skills can integrate into every day physio practice.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What motivational interviewing is and how it grew from addictions work into broader health care
• The “spirit” of MI: compassion, acceptance, partnership, and evocation
• How MI strengthens therapeutic alliance and fits squarely within person-centred care
• Ambivalence: why it’s normal (“I know exercise helps… but I never do it”) and how MI helps people move from stuck to ready to act
• Concrete physio examples: chronic low back pain, post-surgical rehab, and the classic “fix me” client
• Core MI communication skills (OARS):
  • Open-ended questions
  • Affirmations
  • Reflections
  • Summaries
• How MI can:
  • Increase engagement, autonomy, adherence, and satisfaction for clients
  • Decrease “fix-me” pressure and help buffer clinician burnout
• Common misconceptions, including the idea that MI is a 5-minute “technique” rather than a way of being throughout the whole interaction

Resources & next steps for PABC members

• Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) – foundational MI info and demo videos
  • https://motivationalinterviewing.org/
• Center for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation-  Free Introductory MI course
  • https://centrecmi.ca/resources/
• PABC Motivational Interviewing Mentorship Hours
  • Monthly, free for members via the BC Physio app
  • Lightly guided space to practice skills, ask questions, and apply MI to real cases
• Foundations of Motivational Interviewing Course (Spring)
  • A virtual, multi-session PABC course (5 × 4-hour webinars + 1:1 practice)
  • Free to PABC members — details and registration to come
• Connect with Patrick:
  • 📧 patrick@bcphysio.org
  • 📧 membersupport@bcphysio.org
• BC Physio Advocate Community Platform & app – for members wanting to stay connected and engaged in advocacy and professional development
  • https://www.bc.physio/feed

In this episode of New Directions, Patrick sits down with PABC CEO Andrea Burton to look at what’s worrying—and what’s exciting in the physiotherapy landscape in BC over the next six months.

• Fees & funding pressures
  • Wide variation in clinic fees and the impact on insurer expectations.
  • Stagnant rates since before COVID and what that means for clinic sustainability.
  • The long-frozen MSP rate of $23/visit and how it affects patient access.
• Regulation & contracts
  • Ongoing uncertainty with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA).
  • Concerns about public practice contracts under HSA and how small physio’s voting power is.
  • WorkSafeBC service agreement renegotiation and lessons learned from the ICBC contract fight.
• Scope, imaging & system change
  • PABC’s push to add diagnostic imaging to physio scope and why it’s a game changer for access and wait times.
  • Upcoming position statement and webinar for members.
• Strengthening the profession & PABC’s role
  • Building more collegiality across public/private and between clinics.
  • PABC as the only organized physiotherapy voice under a multi-profession college.
  • How stories, member engagement, and working groups fuel real advocacy wins.

From successfully pushing ICBC to revise unfair contract terms, to securing updates to our scope of practice for the first time in 15 years, to leading the charge on long-overdue MSP reforms—PABC has proven the power of persistence and collective voice.

With provisional licensing returning, WorkSafe negotiations underway, and momentum building around the new Health Professions and Occupations Act, the message is clear: physiotherapy is rising as a key voice in BC healthcare. 

Backed by a bold 2024–2026 Strategic Plan focused on advocacy, collaboration, and cultural safety, PABC is moving into 2026 with strength, unity, and vision.

🎧 Tune in and be part of the movement advancing physiotherapy across BC!

Together they explore: 

• Why the knee is a uniquely complex joint for rehab 

• Common pitfalls in return-to-sport protocols 

• Practical insights for integrating force, time, and load into rehab 

• What to expect from Erik's upcoming Knee Rehab course with PABC this November 

Resources & Links:  🔗 Learn more and register for Erik’s course: https://bcphysio.org/product/complex-understanding-for-simple-solutions-knee-2/   🔗 Explore Erik's work and blog: https://thesciencept.com 

Connect with Erik: 

• Instagram: @erikmeira 

• LinkedIn: Erik Meira on LinkedIn 

In this episode of New Directions, host Patrick Desaulles sits down with physiotherapists Melanie Soer and Susan Ting to discuss 3 studies and their personal experiential perspectives on rehabilitation following total hip and knee arthroplasty (joint replacement). 

Together, they explore: 

• Key findings from three important research articles on hip and knee replacement rehab. 

• Common challenges and limitations in traditional post-op rehab approaches. 

• How a whole-body, neuromuscular approach — blending Pilates and physiotherapy principles — can help improve long-term functional outcomes. 

• How the same principles and techniques can be used for pre-operative care to prepare patients for surgery and improve post-op outcomes — not just recovery afterward. 

Hip & Knee Arthroplasty Rehab: An Advanced Skills Workshop 

• Dates: October 4–5, 2025 

• Instructors: Susan Ting & Melanie Soer 

• What you’ll learn: 

• Latest surgical insights from a guest surgeon 

• Practical lab work on neuromuscular retraining, postural control, gait analysis, and full kinetic chain rehab 

• Hands-on strategies you can apply in clinic immediately — for post-op AND pre-op patients 

Register for the course 

Links Mentioned: 

For full text versions of the below articles please reach out to PABC at info@bcphysio.org 

Bennett D, Humphreys L, O'Brien S, Kelly C, Orr JF, Beverland DE. Gait kinematics of age-stratified hip replacement patients--a large scale, long-term follow-up study. Gait Posture. 2008 Aug;28(2):194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2007.11.010. Epub 2008 Feb 19. PMID: 18242996. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18242996/ 

Bhave A, Mont M, Tennis S, Nickey M, Starr R, Etienne G. Functional problems and treatment solutions after total hip and knee joint arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87 Suppl 2:9-21. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.E.00628. PMID: 16326719. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16326719/ 

Rahman J, Tang Q, Monda M, Miles J, McCarthy I. Gait assessment as a functional outcome measure in total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015 Mar 22;16:66. doi: 10.1186/s12891-015-0525-2. PMID: 25886558; PMCID: PMC4374376. 

https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-015-0525-2 

Before During and After hip and knee Joint replacement surgery 

https://vch.eduhealth.ca/media/vch/FB/FB.130.B393.pdf 

VCH Exercise Guide for Knee Replacement Surgery 

https://vch.eduhealth.ca/media/vch/FB/FB.873.Ex.372.pdf 

Key topics covered:

• ICBC Negotiations: Andrea discusses the challenging negotiations with ICBC over the new physiotherapy program guide and service terms. Through persistent advocacy, PABC secured important contract changes—especially around audit access and definitions of substandard service. Andrea highlights the importance of physiotherapists’ involvement and transparency in the process.
• WorkSafeBC Contract: The episode touches on evolving negotiations with WorkSafeBC, including business aspects of contracts and professional responsibility when treating patients who may not recover fully.
• Provisional Licenses & Rural Recruitment: Andrea updates listeners on the potential return of provisional licenses, which could help recruit and retain physiotherapists—especially in rural and remote communities like Haida Gwaii, where waitlists are years long.
• College Amalgamation & HPOA: They discuss the ongoing process of college amalgamation and the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), including the complexities of reviewing incomplete bylaws and the gradual enactment of legislation that will impact the profession.
• MSP Advocacy: Andrea outlines efforts to increase the basic MSP rate and eligibility thresholds, including presentations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and urging members to share patient stories to support the cause.
• CRA Audits: The conversation covers the risks clinics face around contractor versus employee classifications, recent CRA audits, and the importance of understanding the legal landscape for physiotherapy business models.
• New PABC App: The team introduces the new BC Online Community app, designed to provide members with real-time updates, support, and a transparent, collaborative space—addressing the need for better community engagement and open dialogue within the profession.

Throughout the episode, Andrea emphasizes the importance of strong, transparent advocacy and leadership to elevate physiotherapy’s role in BC’s health system, urging physiotherapists to stay involved and proactive.

Tania shares her journey as a nurse, activist, and leader, offering powerful insights into the importance of cultural safety and humility in healthcare.

She discusses the collaborative creation of new standards addressing Indigenous-specific racism, the healing power of storytelling, and her mother’s influence as a Red Power activist.

Tania highlights the need for Indigenous representation in health professions and calls on all practitioners to approach reconciliation with courage, curiosity, and long-term commitment.

This is a conversation grounded in truth, resilience, and hope.

We cover: 

• What brought about this research 

• What were the methods of the research 

• What is the importance of the research 

• What were the findings of the research 

• What are the areas for future research 

Link to the article: 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/msc.70039 

Citation: 

Davies, L.M., Lawton, V., Bevan, R., Mestousis, M. and Pacey, V. (2025), Informing the Development of Telehealth Education in Physiotherapy Programs. Assessments and Interventions for Individuals Accessing Physiotherapy Care via Synchronous Telehealth. A Scoping Review. Musculoskeletal Care, 23: e70039. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.70039 

Vince shares his journey from Saskatoon to Kelowna, reflecting on his commitment to mentorship, leadership, and community service within physiotherapy. Vince discusses the challenges and rewards of stepping into board roles, the importance of representation from diverse regions in BC, and his passion for fostering the next generation of physiotherapists through mentorship.

The study called Reliability, Validity, Clinical Utility, and Responsiveness of Measures for Assessing Mobility and Physical Function in Patients With Traumatic Injury in the Acute Care Hospital Setting: A Prospective Study was published in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal in 2021.  

Simone and Patrick cover a brief overview of the study, what the relevancy is of this study to acute care physiotherapists, how we currently assess mobility and physical function in the acute care setting and some key take home messages.

PABC is excited to be hosting two one day courses with Simone as the instructor on October 19th and 20th, 2024.

Link to register for Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy: Review of the Basics (October 19, 2024)

Link to register for Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy: Case Integration into Practice (October 20, 2024)

Link to article

Reference:

Calthorpe S, Kimmel LA, Fitzgerald MC, Webb MJ, Holland AE. Reliability, Validity, Clinical Utility, and Responsiveness of Measures for Assessing Mobility and Physical Function in Patients With Traumatic Injury in the Acute Care Hospital Setting: A Prospective Study. Phys Ther. 2021 Nov 1;101(11):pzab183. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzab183. PMID: 34324692.

They discuss the importance and role of a detailed history in the framework, the SHARE conversation strategy for involving the client in the discussion of treatment options and the IFOMPT Clinical reasoning and shared decision making infographic.

To register for the course with Steve and Curtis on December 1, 2, 2024 click the link below:

Prince George location

Vancouver Location

To view the IFOMPT Position statement discussed in this podcast click here.

Patrick Dessaulles, the PABC Professional Development Lead, sits down with practicing physiotherapist, educator and clinic owner Lauren Roberts to discuss running in kids. Lauren is the owner of The Running Physio Clinic in Toronto and teaches The Kids Running Course.  For more information about Lauren click here. 

In this episode, we briefly cover the 3 cornerstones of assessing runners, and how Lauren would tackle modifying running in kids. Lauren and Carly Slater go into much more detail in the Kids Running Course which we are hosting September 21/22, 2024 in Vancouver.

To register for the Kids Running Course on September 21/22, 2024 click here.

Here is a coupon code to get free access to a more detailed webinar that Carolyn did around the RESOLVE study.  

The RESOLVE Study: Cognitive Sensory Discrimination in Low Back Pain

• Coupon Code: PABC-ResolveTrial (not case sensitive, no spaces)
• Provides 100% off
• Expiry Date: June 1, 2024

RESOLVE study full article

We are also really excited to be hosting Greg in Kelowna June 1st and 2nd for his course Reconciling Pain Science and Biomechanics, here is the link to register

Both Codie and Caleb have experiences as 2SLGBTQQIA+ patients and physiotherapy practitioners, and our conversation contains valuable insights into what health equity means for 2SLGBTQQIA+ patients and how physiotherapists can improve the healthcare experiences of their patients from these communities.