Continuing Physical Therapy Education (CPTE)

Continuing Physical Therapy Education (CPTE) is a collaborative program that was established by the School of Physical Therapy, University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association in 1996.

CPTE provides continuing education programs (post-graduate) that promote excellence and advancement of clinical practice in physical therapy and related health fields. Assessment of needs, program evaluation and integrated planning with clinical, academic and professional partners provides the basis for program development and improvement.

How is Continuing Physical Therapy Education funded?

The Continuing Physical Therapy Education program is not-for-profit. The program is supported by revenue generated through program activities and educational grants for some courses.

State of the Evidence Statements
In support of evidence based practice and education, CPTE requires a ‘state of the evidence statement’ from the course instructor whenever treatment approaches and methods are taught within a non-syllabus* course. This statement is printed at the front of the course manual, prefaced by Introductory Comments from the CPTE Program Coordinator, and accompanied by a reference list. The intent is to inform course participants about the underlying theory and research related to the approach. The purpose is to increase awareness on the importance of underlying theory and evidence when considering treatment approaches, the level of evidence for various approaches, and gaps in the literature for further study.

(Note: this requirement cannot always be applied to courses where CPTE has entered a contract agreement to provide administrative services only.)

*Syllabus course refers to a course that has been developed/approved by a national division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association..

CPTE Organizational Structure
CPTE is accountable to SPA and the University of Saskatchewan through the CPTE Management Committee, composed of the Director of the School of Physical Therapy, the President or designate of SPA, and a member of SPA representing physical therapy practice area groups.

The CPTE Program Advisory Committee provides input into course programming, and ongoing evaluation of continuing education programming in the province. This committee is composed of the CPTE Program Director, who chairs the committee, one SPA Board member and a maximum of ten physical therapists to represent various sectors of professional practice.