A YEAR FOR GROWTH
The growth of the PA profession has been mounting. With stakeholders and governments realizing the benefits our profession has to offer, we are at a critical time where we must dig-in to ensure success. As such, the following priorities have been identified for the upcoming year:
- Continue advocating and expanding the number of training spots in the country, including the development of new PA programs.
- Continue working with provincial governments to have PAs formally introduced in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Working to finalize PA Regulation in Ontario.
- Leading advocacy campaigns in provinces where provincial elections are being held; Alberta, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island.
- Offering a hybrid conference in Fredericton October 2023.
CAPA MEMBERSHIP: BUILDING MOMENTUM
Who wants to help? Renew your CAPA membership for the 2023-2024 membership year. There is strength in numbers. To continue our momentum, we need your support.
As a token of our appreciation, if you renew by February 28th, you will be entered into a draw to win a subscription to PEPID.
CAPA 2023
Preparations for CAPA 2023 in Fredericton, NB October 19 – 22 have begun. Last year we celebrated coming back together in-person for the first time since the pandemic with a theme of De Retour Ensemble with a strong Primary Care focus. To complement this, the program this year will predominantly focus on Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Surgery. Watch for the Call for Speakers in the coming weeks.
ADVOCACY NEWS
National
Delegated Billing Model
CAPA has commissioned the Conference Board of Canada to explore a new funding model for PAs and physicians who work in largely fee for service environments. In order to support this work, we have worked with the CBOC to establish a Research Advisory Board (RAB) that will include representation from our partners, including the Canadian Medical Association, Doctors of BC, Alberta Health Services, Doctors Manitoba, Ontario Medical Association, Prince Edward Island Health Authority and McMaster University.
The report will develop case studies in several practice environments including, Emergency Departments, Primary Care, Psychiatry and Long-Term Care to showcase the impact of a discounted billing/funding model for PA services on metrics relevant to patients/populations, physicians and physician practices, and provincial health systems/governments. Once complete, this study will become an important advocacy tool for us as we continue to pursue more employment opportunities for PAs across the country, and more incentives for physicians to employ PAs.
Alberta
Alberta Health Services
CAPA met with Alberta Health Services on January 16th to discuss expansion of the PA workforce in Alberta. Priorities in terms of strategy for acquisition and retention were discussed in addition to compensation adjustments as a method of retention.
The University of Calgary’s resubmission of a request to create a PA training program with assistance from the University of Alberta was also discussed and CAPA will be meeting with the University of Calgary to discuss ways in which CAPA can assist in facilitating progress on this important initiative.
British Columbia
First Nations Health Authority
CAPA met with the FNHA to request support for the Port Hardy proposal. The FNHA supported the proposal and are drafting their own letter to government in support of bring a PA into the community.
Port Hardy Proposal
Working with a group of local physicians and PAs and others, CAPA has submitted a proposal to the government of British Columbia on January 23rd to bring the first PA into B.C. under Dr. Nataros in Port Hardy—the proposal has been supported by the local MP, MLA and the Mayor of Port Hardy, the FNHA, and Doctors of B.C. The proposal has also gathered a significant amount of media attention as it comes at a timely solution as BC wrestles with overcrowded EDs and overtaxed family doctors. A request to meet with B.C. Minister of Health, Adrian Dix was also submitted following the proposal. Stay tuned for updates.
Manitoba
Following a meeting with Manitoba Minister of Health, Audrey Gordon at the end of 2022, a task force is being created by the Manitoban government to aid in the implementation of the commitment to add two thousand health care professionals to the system. CAPA has requested that a PA be part of the task force to ensure PA perspectives are included. Look for our updates on the situation, soon to come.
Saskatchewan
The Ministry of Advanced Education is currently conducting an environmental scan and working with the College of Medicine that we expect will culminate in a proposal for a PA Program in the province. CAPA is supporting the development of this proposal by providing information on the PA landscape and potential funding options, as well as barriers to take into consideration. To facilitate movement, CAPA has connected the Ministry with past and existing program educators. To follow-up with the interest in bringing a PA program to Saskatchewan, CAPA will be connecting with elected officials to inquire into ways in which we may assist in keeping the ball rolling. Stay tuned for further updates.
Ontario
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
CAPA has maintained regular communication with the Ministry of Health and the CPSO, and we are pleased to report that the CPSO is once again working to finalize regulation for PAs in Ontario. To support his work, CAPA has established a working group to provide feedback and review materials as they are shared. We will be sure to keep members apprised of any developments as we move through this process.
Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
Before the holidays, CAPA provided input to AFHTO on their document: Guidance to Interdisciplinary Team Roles and Responsibilities. AFHTO has incorporated our feedback and will be releasing the document shortly. They have also invited CAPA to be part of a webinar series with a focused discussion on each discipline shortly.
Solution to PA Orders Not Being Accepted
Recently PA home care orders were no longer being accepted and implemented by Home and Community Care Support Services (HSSCC). The justification being that PAs (as a non-regulated profession), cannot delegate a controlled act to a nurse.
HCCSS reviewed current nursing practice when providing home care. Determined PA orders were being enacted when this is not supported by the practice guidelines mandated by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Any order placed by a PA will now require a co-signature by a supervising physician to be enacted.
Given the limitations this puts on PA practice and efficient patient care, HCCSS has agreed to change their process. Moving forward, to ensure PA orders are accepted, PAs will provide clear identifying information in sign off section, including:
- PAs name & designation
- Supervising Physicians name & CPSO#
- Medical Directive#
The recommended solution moving forward PA to complete RM&R form in EPIC and include the below statement in the field provided for Ordering Physician/NP name
- (PA name & designation), placing this order on behalf of (Physician’s name & CPSO#), in accordance with (MDir #)
- If there is a separate field for CPSO# included in form, can place number there and exclude from statement
- If character limit in field space, can continue statement into section for Ordering Physicians signature
This solution will ensure that the attending nurse is aware that the order is being placed on behalf of a supervising physician and will allow them to practice in line with the guidelines of their college.
Quebec
With the positive momentum coming out of our conference in Quebec City this past fall, QC Director, Jean-Nicolas Chagnon has been in touch with the Health Advisor to the QC Premier’s office. The advisor wanted to learn why PAs are unable to practice in the province and to learn more about the profession. This is an important step, signalling a positive shift in PAs being considered in the province.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia continues to roll out their plan to introduce PAs in emergency departments in the province. To learn more on these exciting developments, please refer to PAs in the News.
Prince Edward Island
CAPA and PEI, Director Erin Sephton recently met with a representative from the health authority to discuss introducing the profession and identify next steps. Stay tuned for developments to come.
Newfoundland and Labrador
CAPA and Newfoundland Director, Kathleen Abreo met with government officials before the holidays to discuss the province’s plan to roll out the introduction of PAs. The government was well versed on the profession and is taking the necessary steps to bring PAs to Newfoundland and Labrador. More to come.
PAs IN THE NEWS
Nova Scotia
New physician assistants to join emergency departments in Bridgewater and Dartmouth
Physician assistants are coming to emergency rooms, but what can they do?
How physician assistants can help take pressure off the strained health-care system
British Columbia
Physician Assistants should be allowed to Practise
Port Hardy emergency room doctor shortage
Port Hardy to be left with only one emergency room doctor
CERTIFICATION
CPD Cycles that ended 31 December 2022
For everyone who’s 5-year cycle ended 31 December 2022 your cycle is now closed and you CANNOT go back into that cycle.
Since you had until 31 January 2023 to enter your previous cycle credit hours, your new cycle should be available in February 2023.
We have been made aware that some cycle did not turn over to the new 1 January 2023 start date. The Royal College is looking into this error. Should you still see an error on your profile after February 8, 2023, please contact Sandra at sbourgon@capa-acam.ca.
Maintenance of Certification (or Competencies for non CCPAs) – Mainport ePortfolio
Need help? If you have any questions or require any assistance with access or what to report and where, please contact Sandra at sbourgon@capa-acam.ca. Please do not contact the Royal College directly as you will simply be redirected to back to PACCC.
JOB LISTINGS
Visit the Job Listings in the members only section of the CAPA website (remember to sign in) for the latest career opportunities. Fourteen new positions were posted in January, many in Hamilton, Winnipeg, and a few in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as Alberta.
If you have job ads to share or know a physician or organization looking to incorporate PAs into their practice, send them to us at admin@capa-acam.ca. We post job ads for free on the Job Listings page and, for a small fee we can email job opportunities directly to all our members.
CPD EVENTS
Don’t forget to check out the CPD Events Calendar on the CAPA website where you’ll find upcoming events to help you meet your maintenance of competencies or maintenance of certification requirements. Many organizations share their educational events with us.