Play The Podcast: Episode 90 - Bonus Episode: Ask us anything about the HIA
Content
1 October 2026
Speakers: Leanne Loranger and Sean FitzGerald
The designation of physiotherapists as custodians under the Health Information Act is a significant development for registrants of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. This bonus episode repurposes the information shared at a recent “ask us anything” webinar, including information about:
- Roles under the HIA and the concept of the circle of care.
- Discussion of safeguards, and the duty to identify risks to the privacy and security of health information, before moving on to a discussion of electronic medical records and considerations for EMR use. (~09:30)
- Common questions related to PIA requirements and implications for physiotherapists. (~17:30)
- Discussion of HIA considerations if using email to transmit health information. (~22:30)
- Implications of the transition to being designated a custodian under the HIA for school-based physiotherapists. (~25:30)
- Discussion of implications of the HIA for solo practitioners. (~36:15)
- The deadline for compliance with the requirements. (~36:45)
- The resources available on the CPTA website to enable this transition. (~37:30)
Listen on as Sean and Leanne address the questions submitted by the audience during the live webinar, including questions regarding
- Different practice scenarios and the roles physiotherapists may have within their practice settings. (~38:00)
- A physiotherapist’s roles and responsibilities if they designate another healthcare professional as their affiliate. (~42:00)
- Navigating information management in school settings. (43:30)
- Further discussion of PIA requirements. (~45:30)
- Can a corporation be a custodian? (~54:00)
- Can a PT hire help to write their PIA? (~58:00)
- Further discussion of school-related physiotherapist considerations. (58:30)
- Discussion of disclosure of health information between custodians. (1:02:00)
We close the episode by answering the overarching question: Why did we move to physiotherapists being custodians under the HIA? (1:04:00)
Resources:
