The following are responses to questions raised in an online session for practitioners interested in applying for the scope
What does ethical competence mean?
The descriptions of the competencies relating to ethical competence are covered within the APP Competencies and Scope of Practice. Refer to Role 2: Professional and ethical practitioner.
Does your mentor for the feedback questionnaires have to be a physio or can they be another health clinician?
The mentor for the Multi‐Source Feedback Questionnaires can be either a physiotherapist, or another registered health practitioner who is working in a field relevant to your APP application.
Does it matter how long ago you received your post grad certification?
No, so long as it is relevant to advanced clinical physiotherapy practice and meets the gazetted criterion for APP Scope of Practice.
I have been advised to resubmit my application, would the same assessors be assessing them, or would you want the full application to be submitted again?
Yes, the assessors remain the same when you resubmit an application. You will just need to submit any documents containing updates, amendments or rewrites. You do not need to submit the full application again.
Can you write 10 case studies? Or only a couple?
There is no limit to how many case studies you submit, however you need to ensure each case study adds something to your application, for example to demonstrate you have met a competency.
If you chose to write an additional case study, could you then have one of the competencies shown in this that is not in case study 1 or 2?
Yes – aside from the two mandatory case studies (case studies 1 and 2) and the Research into Practice submission, you can choose which competencies are assigned to your supporting evidence, including additional case studies. Additional case studies do not need to demonstrate the competencies listed as mandatory for case studies 1 and 2.
“With the following competencies, do you need to demonstrate all that are listed? 2.1 b contribute to reviews of legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines. 6.2a Educate students, clients, the public, and other health care professionals”
The Board’s assessors look for evidence of substantive compliance with these criteria. Evidence is not required for each and every permutation of the sub‐criteria – the Board takes the view that demonstrated competence in one facet of these criteria is likely to evidence overall competence in terms of these criteria.
How do we maintain patient confidentiality if we have to send their signed consent form in? Review
This requirement has now been reviewed by the Registrar and new guidance has been posted on the website, within the APP Competency Assessment Guidance.
The updated information is also copied below:
You must obtain written informed consent if you are using an individual’s information as part of your application. The written consent must state that the information is being used for the express purpose of submitting supporting evidence for your application. This applies to any information, clinical or personal, X‑Rays or images gathered about an individual, whether identifiable or not.
Ensure all identifying patient data has been redacted before you submit your application. The signed written consent form does not need to be sent to the Physiotherapy Board, however a copy must be retained on the individual’s health records, as it may be requested by the Physiotherapy Board.
When you are applying for MSK APP pathway, can you add a case about Breathing pattern disorder?
So long as the case study is applicable to the Musculoskeletal area of practice and contributes to the assessment and management of a complex musculoskeletal case, this could include a breathing pattern disorder.
Are there exemplar templates available of successful applications or case studies to see the details
No, these are not available. We will be setting up a social media group for applicants to share ideas and to support each other, but the Physiotherapy Board will not be looking to provide exemplar templates.
Can you present a case series of patients with a similar injury diagnosis and how they differ in complexity
It is recommended that your mandatory case studies focus on a single case. You could provide an additional submission which compares multiple cases, as part of your additional supporting evidence.