Remote (or virtual) services
Out-of-province OTs providing remote services to clients in PEI
OTs registered in PEI providing remote services in another province
Requirements for providing remote services to clients
Remote (or virtual) practice refers to using information and communication technologies to provide occupational therapy services when clients and occupational therapists (OTs) are not together in person.
Remote services (also known as tele-practice, virtual service/practice, online care, or virtual care) can include phone calls, video conferencing, or other technology-assisted formats.
Out-of-province occupational therapists providing remote services to clients residing in Prince Edward Island
To provide remote services to clients in Prince Edward Island, occupational therapists from other Canadian provinces must be registered in their primary jurisdiction. Occupational therapists who wish to provide OT services remotely to clients in Prince Edward Island are required to contact the PEICOT Registrar and provide the following information:
- Their name
- Province in which they are currently registered
- Type of practice that will be provided (pediatrics, mental health, etc.)
- Approximate start and end date of remote practice
This information is for the purpose of gathering data and no information will be shared with third parties.
An occupational therapist who is providing remote services to clients physically located in a secondary jurisdiction (i.e. PEI) is required to understand and comply with legislative and regulatory requirements in both the primary and secondary jurisdiction. This includes privacy legislation, child protection legislation, and registration/licensing requirements for restricted activities or controlled acts in the secondary jurisdiction. See related resources
Out-of-province OTs registered in another Canadian jurisdiction must be registered with PEICOT to provide in-person services to clients in PEI.
Occupational therapists registered in PEI providing remote services in another province
Occupational therapists registered with PEICOT who wish to provide remote services to clients in another Canadian province must contact the regulatory organization in that province for information on registration requirements.
| Province | Regulation Mechanism for Remote Practice |
|---|---|
| Quebec | Occupational therapists registered in PEI who wish to provide virtual services to clients located in Quebec must obtain special authorization or be registered with OEQ. |
| Saskatchewan | Any occupational therapist not registered in Saskatchewan must obtain an Extended Access Membership to deliver remote practice to Saskatchewan residents. |
| Alberta | Occupational therapists must register in Alberta to provide any restricted activities to Alberta residents. |
| British Columbia | Occupational therapists must obtain appropriate registration in BC to provide remote practice to BC residents. |
|
Manitoba New Brunswick Nova Scotia Newfoundland Ontario |
Occupational therapists may provide remote practice to clients in these provinces using their registration/license from another Canadian province. |
See OT regulators in other provinces
If a client is outside of Canada, occupational therapists should contact the regulatory authority in the client's region and determine if registration is required to provide virtual occupational therapy services.
Requirements for providing remote services to clients
An occupational therapist providing remote services to clients physically located in a secondary jurisdiction is required to understand and comply with legislative and regulatory requirements in both the primary and secondary jurisdiction.
When providing remote services to clients, the occupational therapist is required to:
- Disclose the province where they are registered/licensed to their clients;
- Notify the client of the location from which they are providing the service;
- Only practice within the limits of the certification of registration and competencies in the province where they are registered;
- Follow the regulatory Code of Ethics and applicable professional standards and/or guidelines in the jurisdiction where they are registered/licensed;
- Document the occupational therapy assessment and/or treatment as per provincial standards and guidelines;
- Ensure their liability insurance provides coverage for remote practice activities;
- Ensure they have adequate information about resources in the location where the client resides;
- Have a contingency plan should remote practice be no longer appropriate;
- Determine if remote practice is the appropriate format for delivering the occupational therapy service;
- Ensure that the technology at both ends (client's location and therapist's location) is in good working order and utilizes safeguards for confidentiality;
- Carry out informed consent for the use of remote practice—including risks and limitations of remote practice—and the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information
- Take necessary measures to maintain the client's privacy and confidentiality of their personal health information;
- Develop a process to deal with any adverse or unexpected events during a remote practice session (for example: fall, medical emergency, etc.);
- Establish and maintain professional boundaries during remote practice sessions; and
- Discuss any additional risks and benefits of receiving remote practice.
