Atlantic Virtual Care MOU

Atlantic Virtual Care MOU – Virtual Physiotherapy

Some virtual physiotherapy services can now be provided across participating Atlantic provinces under a shared agreement called the Atlantic Virtual Care Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The Nova Scotia Regulator of Physiotherapy (NSRPT) is a signatory to this agreement.

What This Agreement Does

In limited situations, virtual physiotherapy may be treated as if it took place in the physiotherapist’s home province, even when the patient is located in another participating province.

This applies only when:

• The physiotherapist is physically located in a participating Atlantic province
• The patient is physically located in another participating Atlantic province
• The virtual care is part of an ongoing care plan that is managed by a provincial Health Authority or Crown Corporation

When these conditions are met, the physiotherapist’s primary provincial regulatory authority remains responsible for regulatory oversight.

Important Limits

This agreement is narrow in scope. It applies only to virtual physiotherapy delivered within publicly managed health system care. It does not apply to:

• Private virtual physiotherapy services, or
• Virtual care provided outside the situation described above

The MOU does not give physiotherapists a general right to provide virtual physiotherapy across provincial borders. Physiotherapists providing virtual care outside the scope of the MOU must continue to meet the registration or licensing requirements of the province where the patient is located.

Practice Advisory

To support this agreement, the Registrar has issued a Practice Advisory: Atlantic Virtual Physiotherapy Under the Inter-Jurisdictional MOU.  The Practice Advisory explains what physiotherapists are expected to do when providing virtual physiotherapy under the MOU, including:

• Telling patients which province they are regulated in
• Confirming where the patient is located at the time of care
• Practising within scope and competence
• Having appropriate professional liability insurance
• Planning for emergencies during virtual sessions
• Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality

Physiotherapists who provide virtual physiotherapy under the MOU are expected to review and follow the Practice Advisory.

Temporary or Cross-Border Registration

This agreement may affect some temporary or cross-border registration categories. The impact is different in each province.  Physiotherapists should review guidance from NSRPT to understand whether they still need a separate registration for their practice.

More Information

The following resources are available:

• Practice Advisory
• Registrant Compliance Checklist
• Public FAQ

If you have questions, please contact please contact the NSRPT Practice Advisor, Shanna Thompson, at shanna.thompson@nsphysio.com.