Guidance for Returning to Practice – College of Kinesiologists of Ontario

On May 26, 2020, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health released changes to Directive 2, which originally required all regulated health professionals to stop or reduce non-essential services.

Effective May 26, 2020 kinesiologists and other regulated health professionals can, when all necessary precautions and protocols are in place to protect patients/clients and themselves, gradually and carefully begin providing all services, including non-essential services.

View the changes to Directive 2

What this change means for kinesiologists

This change does not mean that you should immediately return to providing services in-person and the way you did before the pandemic. Kinesiologists and their employers must assess the risks of providing service in-person and implement appropriate infection control and prevention measures. You are strongly encouraged to resume service in-person only when you are satisfied that the benefits of providing service in-person outweigh the risks and appropriate measures are in place.

You should monitor the spread of COVID-19 in your community to inform your decisions of when to return to practice. You can refer to data from the Ontario Government, Public Health Ontario and your local public health unit.

Where possible, you are encouraged to limit the number of in-person visits for your safety and the safety of patients/clients. Kinesiologists are in the best position to determine which services should be provided virtually and which services can safely resume in-person with appropriate precautions and protocols in place to protect you and your patients/clients. The amended directive lists principles to consider when making decisions about the type of service to provide.

Guidance for kinesiologists on returning to practice

To help kinesiologists plan a gradual and safe return to practice, the College developed return to practice guidance. This guidance covers should be followed in conjunction with guidance from the Ministry of Health.

College guidance on return to practice– This guidance is more specific to kinesiology practice (Updated June 22, 2020)
College Practice Standard- Infection Control
Infection control webinar from Public Health Ontario
College guidance on providing virtual service
Ministry of Health guidance on return to practice– General guidance for all health professionals (Updated June 15, 2020)
General COVID-19 guidance from the Ministry of Health

Information is changing quickly, so please note that guidance may change. Check the College’s website regularly for the latest guidance and information.

If you have any questions, please contact the College via email.

FAQs

Kinesiologists must follow the latest advice from the Ontario Government on the use of PPE. Some sectors, such as hospitals and long-term care homes, have been issued specific guidance around the use of PPE. If you work in one of these settings, review the Ministry of Health’s guidance for health sector or speak to your supervisor.

If providing service in-person to a patient/client who screens negative and physical distancing (i.e. two metres) cannot be maintained: Kinesiologists must wear a surgical/procedure mask.

If providing service in-person to a patient/client who screens negative and physical distancing can be maintained: Kinesiologists are encouraged to wear a surgical/procedure mask.

If providing service to a patient/client who screens positive and/or who has respiratory symptoms: Kinesiologists must use PPE. This may include a surgical/procedure mask, isolation gown, gloves, eye protection (goggles or face shield). Public Health Ontario has a document that provides recommendations on the use of PPE for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Ensure that you are following protocols around putting on and taking off PPE.

The Ontario Government now has a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to help businesses secure PPE and other supplies.

Based on advice from the Ministry of Health, health care organizations and providers should use this approach to obtain PPE supplies once a need has been determined:

Work with your regular supplier to determine when you will get regular shipments of PPE and equipment.
Submit a request via the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment Intake Form to work with your region/regional table and with other local health care providers to determine if others in your local area have supplies they can provide to you.
If none of these actions are successful, your appropriate regional PPE lead will escalate your request to the Ministry’s Emergency Operation Centre (see Appendix A of the Ministry’s update for a list of regional PPE leads).

Patients/clients should be advised to wear a mask (cloth or other) to their appointment if they have one.