A new resource to help practitioners understand their legal obligations when using titles in health advertising is now available.

Developed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), it is just one of the advertising resources developed to help health practitioners and other advertisers meet their professional and legal obligations.

The titles tool also outlines some of the common pitfalls that can result in titles being considered misleading under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).

Misuse of a protected title, specialist title or endorsements is an offence under sections 113–119 of the National Law or may constitute behaviour for which conduct or performance action may be taken against a registered health practitioner under Part 8 of the National Law.

However, advertisers should also be aware that while use of some titles may not necessarily breach title protections under sections 113–119, they may be considered false, misleading or deceptive under the advertising provisions in the National Law (section 133).

Physiotherapy Board of Australia chair Kim Gibson said the latest resource is a must-read for registered physiotherapists to make sure they know how to use titles in their advertising.

‘AHPRA and National Boards have published a series of resources to help physiotherapists check and correct their advertising. I am asking every physio to take the time to read this latest information about titles to ensure they are meeting their legal and professional obligations when advertising a regulated health service,’ Kim says.

The advertising compliance and enforcement strategy for the National Scheme was launched in April 2017. Under the strategy, AHPRA and national boards have developed several resources to help practitioners and advertisers, including testimonial and self- assessment tools, a summary of advertising obligations, frequently asked questions, tips on words to be wary about, and examples of compliant and non-compliant advertising.

The titles tool, along with the other resources, is available in the advertising resources section on the AHPRA website.

For more information visit the Board’s website. For registration enquiries, call 1300 419 495 (from within Australia) or 03 9275 9009 (for overseas callers). Address mail correspondence to: Kim Gibson, Chair, Physiotherapy Board of Australia, GPO Box 9958, Melbourne, VIC 3001.