The Regulation respecting the professional activities that may be engaged in by members of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (Professional Order of Physiotherapy of Quebec) was amended pursuant to subparagraph h of the first paragraph of section 94 of the Professional Code. 

The board of directors of Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec may by way of regulation, determine the types of professional activities that members of the order may engage in, and those that may be engaged by the persons or categories of persons indicated in the regulation, and the terms and conditions on which such persons may engage in such activities.

The amendments to the regulation allow for physiotherapist to swab for a wound culture when providing treatment for wounds provided that the physiotherapist holds a training certificate issued by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec which indicates that the physiotherapist has participated in 1-hour training which covered: techniques and conditions for swabbing for a wound culture; various types of wounds; recognition of the clinical signs and infection symptoms of a wound; and the principles of asepsis and the cleaning of wounds.

In Quebec, these are only two types of recognized physiotherapy professionals, Physiotherapists and Phys. T. Both types treat physical disabilities and impairments and work to restore patients’ full range of motion and help patients’ manage pain, prevent injuries, and work to educate the public, and promote health.

Physiotherapists work with patients of all ages who have problems with their muscles, bones, joints, neurological system (brain, nerves, spinal cord), respiratory system (lungs), circulatory system (blood vessels), or cardiac system (heart). Physiotherapists have a deep understanding of how the human body works, so they can assess the nature and cause of your problem. They identify the problem by assessing your physical abilities, including your joint mobility, strength, muscle tone and endurance, reflexes, and posture. 

Physiotherapy technologists (Phys. T.) also work with patients of all ages, including athletes and people injured at work. Phys.T. also deal with problems affecting muscles, bones, joints, the neurological system (brain, nerves, spinal cord), the respiratory system (lungs), the circulatory system (blood vessels), and the cardiac system (heart).  Like physiotherapists, the primary objective of Phys. T. is to help you get back on your feet and regain your independence as quickly as possible.

Phys. T. steps in after a physiotherapist or physician has assessed a patient’s condition. They collect and analyze the information on the patient’s chart in order to develop, implement, and monitor the treatment plan.

*Source: Quebec (OC 2-2023) January 11, 2023.