Presentation at the CTRA 2015 Conference *St.John’s Newfoundland*

Alberta’s Strategic Plan to Protect and Serve the Public Advancing the Therapeutic Recreation Profession in Canada as a Self Governing Health Profession

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Presenters l  Patti Lanigan

–  ATRA President (2014 - 2016) –  Chair, Complaints, Investigation

and Resolution Committee and Chair, ATRA’s National Standards of Practice Committee

–  President@alberta-tr.org

l  Ellen Helgason –  ATRA Vice President (2011 –

2015) –  Chair, Protect and Serve the

Public –  Vicepresident@alberta-tr.org

l  Kari Medd –  ATRA Past President (2010 –

2014) –  Co-Chair Continued Competency

Program –  Continuedcompetence@alberta-tr.org

l  Sarah James

–  ATRA Education Liaison (2014 – present)

–  Co-Chair Continued Competency Program and Entry to Practice

–  educationliaison@alberta-tr.org

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Together, we can improve how we protect and serve the public interest across Canada

l As recommended by Alberta Health, ATRA is to actively collaborate with provincial TR Associations in the pursuit of self-regulation to enhance consistency, efficiency and effectiveness of a shared vision across the nation.

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Today’s Objectives l  To demonstrate a relationship between self-regulation of

Therapeutic Recreation and improving the health and quality of life of the public

l  To illustrate that self-regulation is a common interest in Canada l  To articulate several key processes developed by ATRA in

relation to the Health Professions Acts and becoming self-regulated

l  To provide TR Practitioners, Board Directors and Educators the opportunity to compare and contrast similarities in outcomes within the domains of:

–  Professional Conduct –  Entry to Practice –  Continued Competency Program –  Professional Competency Profiles

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Session Outline 1.  Compare Health

Profession Act across Canada: Similarities and Differences

2.  Present process used to develop ATRA’s Strategic Plan

3.  Present Vision, Mission, and Value Statements of 2020 Vision

4.  Define four Key Strategic Directions: Goals, objectives, outcomes and evidence: a)  Professional Conduct b)  Entry to Practice c)  Continued

Competency Program d)  Professional

Competency Profile 5.  Summary, Questions and

Answers

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Today’s Learning Outcomes Measureable learning outcomes for each session, related to NCTRC

Job Analysis 1.  Identify at least six common yet critical elements

within your own provincial government’s Health Professions Act that are common to Alberta’s Health Professions Act.

2.  Identify four strategic directions that the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association will be implementing to demonstrate ability to self-regulate the TR profession.

3.  Identify at least three strategies that you can initiate to protect and serve the public nationally, provincially, and within your TR Practice.

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Learning Outcome #1

Identify at least six critical elements within your own provincial government’s Health Professions

Act that are common to Alberta’s Health Professions Act.

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The organization of Health Service in Canada l  Health care in Canada is a shared responsibility. l  Canada has not one, but 14 health care systems; a

different system in each province and territory. l  The federal government sets standards and principles

and assists in financing provincial and territorial health care services.

l  The provinces and territories are responsible for the administration and delivery of services for most of the population.

l  The government of each province and territory has an act to regulate the providers of health service.

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Provincial Health Profession Self-Regulation Legislation

l  Given that many of these regulatory bodies are provincial, variation exists between provinces and territories.

l  Terminology varies.

l  To promote national discussions of self-government for the Therapeutic Recreation profession, it is necessary to explore similarities and differences.

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Six identified elements of Health Legislation in Canada 1.  Protect and Serve the Public Interest 2.  Self-Regulation/Self-Governance 3.  Complaint, Investigation and Resolution

Process 4.  Entry to Practice requirements 5.  Competency Profile, Standards of Practice 6.  Continuing Competence Program

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Cross Canada Comparison of Elements of Health Legislation

Therapeutic Recreation Regulation in Canada 2015: Comparison of Canada’s Health Professions Act REPORT & POWERPOINT - (Author: Dianne Bowtell, Executive Director of ATRA)

In Summary: 1.  Similarities 2.  Differences 3.  Opportunities

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Learning Outcome #2

Identify four strategic directions that the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association will

be implementing to demonstrate ability to self-regulate the TR profession.

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Introduction of Alberta’s plan for self-regulation of the TR profession

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How was ATRA’s 2020 Vision Strategic Plan developed?

l  Discussion began with ATRA BoD to define future direction – June 2013

l  Process began with membership input at ATRA’s Annual General Meeting – October 2013

–  Open Space Technology was utilized to identify the needs and priorities of the association and this health care profession

l  Information collected was analyzed to identify major linkages & categories

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Development of ATRA’s 2020 Vision included a Consultation Process involving:

l  Membership l  Board of Directors l  ATRA Staff l  Alberta Health l  Benchmark of Alberta regulated health

professions

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2020 Strategic Plan Vision Statement

“Therapeutic Recreation is a self-governing health profession that optimizes leisure and

recreation experiences to enable individuals to live well and be healthy.”

“The Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association exists to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society by advancing therapeutic

recreation practice.”

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2020 Strategic Plan Mission Statement

“ATRA promotes consistent practice for therapeutic recreation through:

–  defined programs of study and education courses for the purpose of registration requirements,

–  a clearly defined entry level and continuing competence program for members,

–  standards of practice and a code of ethics.”

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Values upheld in our Strategic Plan

•  Strategic direction is a process developed with “extensive consultation with membership, Alberta Health and other stakeholders” (Alberta Health, 2004). Consultation

•  ATRA protects and serves the public interest by establishing, maintaining and enforcing entry level and continuing competence, standards of practice, code of ethics (Alberta Health, 2013). Professional Conduct

•  Recreation Therapy demonstrates progress as a essential component within the evolving and complex healthcare system in Alberta through evidence based practice and research.

Professional Advancement

•  ATRA supports registered professionals in collaborative practice with regulated health disciplines, educational institutions and service delivery agencies. Collaboration

•  ATRA recognizes the education, experience and contribution of current membership. Changes to membership will apply to new applicants seeking to enter TR practice. Recognition

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Four Key 2020 Strategic Plan Directions

Find the complete 2020 Vision Strategic Plan –on the ATRA Website http://www.alberta-tr.org/pages/home/default.aspx 20

1. Professional Conduct

1.  Protect and serve the public interest 2.  Self-governance as defined by Alberta Health

Professions Act 3.  Request to Register with HPA 4.  Complaint, Investigation and Resolution

Process 5.  Employer recognition

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2. Entry to Practice

1.  Provide direction to programs of TR study for the purpose of registration requirements.

2.  Provide direction to improve access to TR study.

3.  Promote and support the professional role as TR Instructor for TR education programs.

4.  Promote the TR profession to prospective students.

5.  Transition to TR degree as entry to practice for new applicants.

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3. Continued Competency Profile

1.  Competency Profile (ATRA, 2012). 2.  Continuing Competence Program (Alberta

Health, 2013). 3.  Return to practice / Registration Renewal. 4.  Evidence based practice and research.

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4. Professional Competency Profile

1. Communities of Practice2. Clinical Instruction and Supervision of TR

Students (internships / fieldwork placement,preceptor resources and expectations

3. TR Support Staff (RTA’s)4. Collaboration with Regulated Health

Professions.5. Collaboration with Community Agency for

Health Promotion.

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Learning Outcome #3

Identify at least three strategies that you can initiate to protect and serve the public nationally,

provincially, and within your TR practice.

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ATRA Organizational Structure ATRA

North Region Central Region South RegionLethbridge Chapter

South RegionMedicine Hat Chapter

Board of Directors (Volunteer, 2 Year

Terms)

Education Liaison Secretary

President Vice President

Communications Director

Paid Positions

Executive Director Administrative Assistant

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Involving Membership in Professional Advancement Committees (PAC)-

1.  Continued Competency Program.

2.  Complaints, Investigation and Resolution Process.

3.  Standards of Practice (National).

4.  Community of Practice Leads: 1.  Geriatrics 2.  Rehabilitation 3.  Mental Health 4.  Adolescents / Children

5.  Protect and Serve the Public. 6.  Clinical Internships / Fieldwork

Preceptor Program

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Alberta’s Challenges in Pursuing Self-Regulation

l  Political Climate l  Use of Terminology l  Professional Advancement Committees l  Working with Other Regulated Health

Professions l  Ability to Update HPA Proposal to the

Government of Alberta

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Questions and Answer : Let’s talk

What do you see as your provinces

challenges to self-regulation?

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Questions and Answer : Let’s talk

What are some strategies in overcoming challenges to self-regulation in Canada?

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Questions and Answer : Let’s talk

How can the provinces collaborate to move towards self-regulation

in Canada?

–  Protect and serve the public interest –  Establish consistency

l  Entry to Practice l  Professional Competency Profile l  Continued Competency Program l  Professional Conduct

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Appendix l  Alberta’s Challenges in Pursuing Self-Regulation, prepared by: Ellen Helgason,

Vice President, Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, May 2015.

l  Leadership of ATRA’s 2020 Vision – A Team Approach, prepared by: Dianne Bowtell, Executive Director, Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, May 2015

l  Therapeutic Recreation Regulation in Canada 2015: Comparison of Canada’s

Health Professions Acts, Power Point prepared by: Dianne Bowtell, Executive Director, Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, May 2015.

l  Therapeutic Recreation Regulation in Canada 2015: Comparison of Canada’s

Health Professions Acts, Report prepared by: Dianne Bowtell, Executive Director, Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, May 2015.

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Thank-you for attending and participating in our session!

If you have any further questions or comments, we would be happy to hear from you! Please contact us at:

Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) 8038 Fairmount Drive SE Calgary, Alberta T2H 0Y1 E-Mail: atra@alberta-tr.org Voice Mail: 1.403.258.2520

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