This article is the first of a running series on the College’s Quality Assurance program. Our intent is to shed some light on some of the QA programs that kinesiologists may not know about or be less familiar with. The first, and one of the most important, is the Peer and Practice Assessment (PPA) program.
The goal of the PPA is to promote patient/client safety by ensuring that kinesiologists are providing competent, safe and ethical treatment, care and services. PPA cycles run twice a year, in the Spring and Fall. Typically, between 24 and 30 kinesiologists are selected to participate in each cycle. Selection is based on a range of criteria set out in the College’s Peer and Practice Assessments: General Requirements Policy.
The PPA involves two elements: a behaviour-based interview and, for kinesiologists in clinical or mixed (clinical and non-clinical) practice, patient record reviews.
After selection, kinesiologists are sent a pre-questionnaire. This helps focus on the kinesiologist’s specific practice, including whether they work in a patient/client facing clinical role (such as an ergonomic consultant, personal trainer or rehabilitation provider), non-clinical role such as Return-to-Work Coordinator or Insurance Claims Manager, or a mix of clinical and non-clinical practice. This information determines which questions, including any specific “trigger” questions, will be asked during the PPA. The pre-questionnaire answers also helps match kinesiologists with a suitable peer assessor.
Behaviour-based interviews are scheduled for 3 hours, though the interview may not require the full time. The kinesiologist can answer questions either by referencing their own experience(s) or through hypothetical situations.
More information regarding the PPA can be found here.
If you have any questions regarding the PPA, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Brian Fehst, the Manager of Professional Practice, at professionalpractice@coko.ca.