From June 1 to November 30, 2024, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) made decisions on a total of 11 investigations—five complaint investigations and six Registrar’s Investigations. Complaints are received from members of the public (typically clients or their family members). Registrar’s Investigations stem from reports received from any number of sources, but most typically employers or other occupational therapists.
Investigations Data Overview: June 2024-November 2024
For the eight complaints, the decisions were as follows:
- Advice & Guidance – 2 decisions
- Take No Action – 3 decisions
In the Registrar’s Investigations, the decisions were as follows:
- Undertaking (to complete specified remedial activities) – 3 decisions
- SCERPs (Specified Continuing Education or Remedial Program) – 2* decisions
- SCERP and Caution-in-person (verbal or oral caution) – 1 decision
*One of these decisions is currently under appeal to the Divisional Court of Ontario.
There were no new referrals to discipline.
There were two discipline hearings held by the College in the first half of this fiscal year, resulting in findings of professional misconduct. You can find the summaries of each on the College’s website: Discipline Hearings.
Competencies and Standards Data Overview
The following competencies and practice standards were identified in the 11 matters decided by the ICRC. It is important to note that competencies and standards are identified for each concern regardless of whether the ICRC took any action. Multiple standards and competencies can also be present in one case.
| Competency Identified | Times Identified |
|---|---|
| A1: Establish trusted professional relationships with clients | 2 |
| A2: Use occupational analysis throughout practice | 1 |
| A3: Determine clients’ needs and goals for occupational therapy services | 1 |
| A4: Assess occupational participation | 1 |
| A5: Develop plans with clients to facilitate occupational participation | 1 |
| A6: Implement the occupational therapy plan | 3 |
| A7: Manage the assignment of services to assistants and others | 1 |
| B1: Communicate in a respectful and effective manner | 3 |
| B2: Maintain professional documentation | 6 |
| B3: Collaborate with clients, other professionals, and stakeholders | 3 |
| C1: Promote equity in practice | 1 |
| C2: Promote anti-oppressive behaviour and culturally safer, inclusive relationships | 2 |
| D Competencies | 0 |
| E1: Meet legislative and regulatory requirements | 6 |
| E2: Demonstrate a commitment to minimizing risk | 8 |
| F1: Contribute to the learning of occupational therapists and others | 1 |
| F2: Show leadership in the workplace | 1 |
| Standard Identified | Times Identified |
|---|---|
| Standard for Assessment & Intervention (this standard is used when there are issues of communication identified) | 4 (36%) |
| Standard for Consent | 2 (18%) |
| Standard for Record Keeping | 7 (63%) |
| Standard for Professional Boundaries | 3 (27%) |
| Standard for Psychotherapy | 2 (18%) |
| Standard for the Supervision of Students and Occupational Therapy Assistants | 2 (18%) |
Record keeping continues being a trend seen in Registrar’s investigations. Communication breakdowns were most common in complaints which are represented by competencies A and B.
Our analysis of complaints data and trends helps shape the development of College resources for registrants. This information informs College programs, such as Quality Assurance activities, practice resources and Investigations articles that support the delivery of safe and ethical occupational therapy services.