Peer and Practice Assessment
The Peer and Practice Assessment (PPA) is a legislated requirement of COKO’s Quality Assurance Program. The PPA is an educational, structured interview conducted by Peer Assessors. The PPA assesses Registered Kinesiologists’ knowledge, skill and judgement, based on the Essential Competencies of Practice for Kinesiologists in Ontario and COKO’s Practice Standards. The goal is to help Registered Kinesiologists identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement within their practice. Each year, Registered Kinesiologists are randomly selected to participate in PPA to help ensure their continued competence.
Peer Assessors
Peer Assessors play a vital role in conducting PPAs. Through this work, Peer Assessors help support practice excellence, continuing professional development, and public protection. COKO recruits Peer Assessors from Registered Kinesiologists who are committed to upholding high standards of practice and supporting the professional development of their peers.
What to expect
During a Peer and Practice Assessment (PPA), a Peer Assessor works with Registered Kinesiologists to explore real-world practice through guided questions and discussion.
Assessment Process:
- Situation-Based Questions: Relate to a recent professional event or situation.
- Case-Based Questions: Relate to a recent patient or client case (clinical/mixed practice only).
- Discussion: Registered Kinesiologists describe the situation or case, the actions they took, the outcomes, and patient or client results.
Types of Practice:
- Clinical or Mixed Practice (working directly with patients/clients):
- One set of situation-based questions
- One set of case-based questions
- Review of a patient/client record and discussion of record-keeping practices
- Non-Clinical Practice (not working directly with patients/clients):
- Two sets of situation-based questions
All questions are based on the Essential Competencies of Practice for Kinesiologists in Ontario and Practice Standards, ensuring the assessment focuses on professional knowledge, skill, and judgment.
Timing and location
PPAs occur in the spring and fall. The PPA must take place within 90 days of receipt of the notice of selection. Kinesiologists who are selected to participate will work with the College to determine the most suitable date and time for the assessment.
Most PPAs are conducted virtually, and will take approximately three hours.
Access to patient/client information and records
For the purpose of conducting a Peer and Practice Assessment (PPA), a Peer Assessor—or COKO—may review any records related to the care of a patient or client.
The College’s authority to access this information is provided under:
Employers can refer to the College’s Access to Patient/Client Records Letter to better understand the process and requirements for providing records during an assessment.
Preparing for the PPA
Registered Kinesiologists are strongly encouraged to review the Essential Competencies of Practice for Kinesiologists in Ontario and Practice Standards to self-assess whether they are meeting the practice standards.
After the PPA
The Peer Assessor will write a report that is provided to the Registered Kinesiologist after the assessment. The Registered Kinesiologist will then have an opportunity to send a written response to the report, to address any opportunities for improvement identified and offer additional information that was not communicated during the interview.
The Peer Assessor’s report, along with the Registered Kinesiologist’s regulatory history and submissions, will be reviewed by the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC). The QAC will determine whether the kinesiologist has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, skill, and judgment.
Based on its review, the QAC may provide advice, recommendations, or direction regarding future actions to be taken by the kinesiologist.
Confidentiality
COKO will not notify the Registered Kinesiologist’s employer of their participation in the PPA or the outcome. It is the Registered Kinesiologist’s responsibility to advise their employer if they must be notified to obtain a patient or client record.
Related FAQ's
Why was I selected for the PPA?
There are several methods by which Kinesiologists can be selected for participation, either through being outstanding on a registration requirement such as outstanding Professional Liability Insurance, not completing another QA program such as the Self-Assessment or eLearning Modules, or through random selection.
Is the PPA mandatory?
All members selected for PPA are required to participate. If you feel you are unable to complete the PPA at this time, you can complete an application for deferral or exemption and submit it to professionalpractice@coko.ca. Deferral and Exemption requests may be approved by the Quality Assurance Committee based on the corresponding policies.