Events

2012 NSPA & NSCP Annual General Meetings

Date: Sat, March 31, 2012

NSPA's 2012 Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Saint Mary's University. We are very happy to be joining with the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists for this joint event.

The schedule for the day is as follows:
 
8:30 AM - NSCP AGM - ScotiaBank Theatre, Sobey Building
10:00 - 10:30 - Break in the Exhibit Hall - Loyola Conference Hall
10:30 - 12 noon - NSPA AGM - ScotiaBank Theatre
Noon - 1:30 PM - Lunch in the Exhibit Hall - Loyola Conference Hall
1:30 - 4:30 PM - Professional Development - ScotiaBank Theatre, Sobey Building

For a Saint Mary's University map, click here.

Event Registration:

College and Association members planning to attend the AGMs and professional development are asked to please REGISTER ON-LINE (free of charge) at http://physio.eventbrite.com. If you have questions about the event, please do not hesitate to contact Christine James, NSPA Executive Director, (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 902-405-6772.

Notice of NSPA Bylaw Revisions

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association will present proposed Bylaw amendments to members at the Annual General Meeting on March 31, 2012.  Amendments pertain to membership categories (to ensure consistency with CPA bylaws), and terms of office for board directors elected into the President-Elect or President roles.

Members are encouraged to review the summary and rationale for the proposed amendments prior to the AGM, which can be downloaded here. Additionally, the complete current bylaws can be found at http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/index.php/site/member_resources27/ (member login required).

Professional Development:

The debate in late 2011 regarding the potential shuttering of out-patient physiotherapy departments provided a telling and urgent example of the importance of effectively documenting and demonstrating physiotherapy's value to the health care system.  Whether in private or public practice, physiotherapists are accountable to patients, funders, administrators, colleagues, and the profession itself to provide effective, efficient, evidence-informed care.

This year’s professional development will focus on the use and significance of outcome measures in public and private settings. A panel of speakers will present information on the importance of demonstrating effectiveness of physiotherapy care in order to prove value, defend funding within the public system, and to demonstrate return on investment for payors and patients.

We are very pleased to announce our exceptional line-up of panelists (confirmed as of Jan. 17):

Barbara Adams - community physiotherapist, PhysioCare at Home.  Barbara's particular emphasis will be on outcome measures in community settings / for seniors.

Anne Fenety - Physiotherapist,  Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University School of Physiotherapy.  Anne will focus on engaging clients in goal setting, and ensuring effective communication between patients and therapists re: OMs/goals.
 

David Kachan - private practice physiotherapist, clinic owner.  David will speak to the use and importance of OMs in private practice settings, particularly WCB.

Katie White - Physiotherapist, Stroke Consultant, Cardiovascular Health Nova Scotia.  Katie will focus on using the Stroke Strategy as a case study for effective use of OMs to demonstrate value and effectiveness.

Exhibit & Job Fair and Sponsorship Opportunities:

NSPA's exhibit and job fair provides the best opportunity in Atlantic Canada to get products, services and job opportunities in front of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. Registration for the exhibit is now open - visit http://nspaexhibit.eventbrite.com/ to register as an exhibitor and/or sponsor of this event.

We are pleased to welcome the following Event Sponsors (as of Jan. 15, 2012):




Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.  Click on AHS logo to visit their website.




Bioflex Laser, by Meditech International Inc.
 
Meditech International is a world leader in the development of Therapeutic Laser Systems (BioFlex Laser Therapy). These are highly effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems, arthritis, sports injuries, wound healing and a diverse number of dermatological conditions. Meditech operates two rehabilitation centres in Toronto where up to 800 treatments are administered on a weekly basis. Representatives of the company will be conducting 30-minute presentations at physiotherapy clinics in Halifax and adjacent areas during the week of March 26, 2012. For a one-on-one presentation of BioFlex Laser Therapy Systems, additional information or to schedule a short online presentation, please contact Muneeza Khan at 1-888-557-4004 x 131 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  (For more information click here).  Click on Bioflex logo to visit their website. 
 

Canadian Paraplegic Association Wheel to Win

Date: Sun, February 26, 2012

The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Nova Scotia) invites participants to join the first annual Wheel & Win event, on Sunday, Feb. 26, 12 noon - 3:30 PM.

Download the poster for more details.

Download the registration form.

NSPA Task Force Releases Out-Patient Fact Sheets

Date: Wed, February 15, 2012

NSPA's Public Practice Task Force (PPTF) is pleased to release three new Fact Sheets, outlining the importance of a colaborative, consultative approach to changes in provision of publicly funded out-patient physiotherapy services. Each Fact Sheet provides information on the impact of cuts from different angles - a general overview; a perspective on the ripple effect throughout the health care system when out-patient rehab services are compromised; and finally, a call to action with proposed solutions to address the risks created when physiotherapy services are restructured. Links to the Fact Sheets can be found at the end of this article.

While large-scale cuts to out-patient physiotherapy departments seem to be off the table for 2012, examples of the erosion of publicly funded physiotherapy services through incremental cutbacks and reduced infrastructure abound. Indeed, these smaller-scale cuts are in many ways more concerning than large-scale department cuts as they tend to be more easily ignored or rationalized, and then become the new norm.

We call on all members, particularly those in public practice, to get involved by printing off the fact sheets and distributing them to influencers - VPs, department heads, orthopaedic surgeons, to suggest a few. If you are not able to print the fact sheets at your work site, NSPA is able to provide small quantities (up to 1 dozen of each) upon request. Contact Christine at cjames@physiotherapyns to request.

The Task Force will next create similar information on publicly funded acute and community physiotherapy, with a goal to foster a better system-wide understanding of how all publicly funded physiotherapy contributes to the effectiveness of the primary health care team for Nova Scotians at all stages of life. 

We welcome (indeed, encourage) member feedback and suggestions for this initiative at any time. Contact Christine James at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 902-405-6772.

Fact Sheets:
Out-Patient Physiotherapy Matters
Out-Patient Physiotherapy: System-Wide Impacts
Out-Patient Physiotherapy: Risks and Solutions

Sincere thanks are extended to the PPTF for their detailed feedback and critique of the Fact Sheets.