To help identify learning opportunities and facilitate communication between kinesiologists and CKO, we launched a series of Practice Standard and Guideline surveys in March 2024. The eighth survey involved questions about the Practice Standard – Professional Boundaries and the Practice Guideline – Professional Boundaries and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse. This survey was published in the October issue of @CKO, the College’s official e-newsletter.

We are pleased to provide a report on the survey results. Some of the highlights:

• While there may be circumstances where technical language is beneficial in explaining certain concepts, the Practice Standard notes that engaging in professional communication typically involves “using calm and plain language”. This helps ensure that information is presented in a way that is accessible for and understandable by any patient/client (and/or, where necessary, their substitute decision maker(s)).

The Practice Standard provides some definitions, including defining:

• A “Close personal relationship” as a relationship with a person that is characterized by feelings of warmth and familiarity, and/or has elements of exclusivity, privacy or intimacy
• “Dual relationships” as a situation when a kinesiologist has a business or personal relationship with a patient outside of their practice. Examples would include, but are not limited to, a situation where a patient/client provides financial planning or real estate services to their kinesiologist.

As stated in the Practice Standard, kinesiologists are expected to refrain from dual relationships and only provide treatment, care or services for individuals with whom they have a close personal relationship in demonstrably exceptional or emergency circumstances.

• Related to this: with the College’s adoption of the Spousal Exception to the sexual abuse provisions of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, providing spousal treatment itself is not automatically considered sexual abuse.
• However, due to the potential risks associated with spousal treatment, kinesiologists should only do so in exceptional circumstances. The College has published some additional guidance regarding the spousal exception, and kinesiologists are encouraged to review this guidance. The College’s Practice Advice service may also be a resource for some information.

We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond and provide feedback, which will inform ongoing review of the Practice Standards and Guidelines. We look forward to your continued engagement with this survey series!

Questions and/or feedback about the survey, and Practice Standards and Guidelines?

Email: professionalpractice@coko.ca.