Ontario’s health system is facing a significant challenge: a shortage of qualified health care providers, leading to longer wait times and reduced access to essential care. Physician Assistants (PAs) are a key part of the solution.
Meet the Primary Care PAs that are making a Difference:
- Drew Gould
- Sarah Flanagan
- Parastoo Tashakorinia
About PAs
MYTH
PAs can’t work independently and need to be constantly supervised
FACT
PAs practice with negotiated autonomy, allowing them to provide care at the discretion of a supervising physician. They bring expertise in diagnostics, treatment, and patient care, enabling them to handle most routine medical issues effectively.
PAs are advanced practice clinicians trained in the medical model. They work under the supervision of licensed physicians with negotiated autonomy, meaning they have the flexibility to make decisions and provide care based on medical directives. From urban hospitals to rural clinics, PAs collaborate with all health care providers to enhance health care delivery in any clinical setting.
The Impact of PAs in Ontario’s Health System
PAs are an essential resource in solving Ontario’s health human resource (HHR) crisis. By extending a doctor’s reach, they improve patient access, reduce wait times, and enhance the quality of care. A few of their key functions include:
- Conducting physical exams
- Ordering and interpreting tests
- Prescribing medications and developing treatment plans
- Providing patient counseling and preventative health care
- Assisting in surgery
How PAs can help solve Ontario’s HHR Crisis
Ontario is currently facing a significant health care and HHR crisis, marked by several critical issues. PAs are a key part of the solution to Ontario’s health care crisis.
- According to the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), 2.3 million Ontarians do not have a family physician.
- There is a severe shortage of health care workers, with the province losing over 10% of its nurses and other staff annually, exacerbating the crisis for Ontarians.
- PAs can help alleviate these challenges and support the health system while it navigates a period of turbulence, however, they are significantly undervalued in the current ecosystem as the current lowest paid across Canada.
- Recognizing the value of PAs in Ontario begins with education and appreciation for their important work and recognition that utilizing them can help solve the HHR crisis.
Call to Action
Restrictive policy and a lack of public and professional education are holding PAs back from fully integrating into Ontario’s health workforce. CAPA is urging the Ontario government to address these issues and enhance the utilization of PAs in the province's primary care system.