Advocating for physician assistants in BC

Five hundred physician assistants are currently working in Canada - yet not one of them works in BC. Under the supervision of a physician, PAs complement existing services and improve patient access to healthcare. 

“Physician assistants can be an important addition to the team-based care model that we are working towards in BC to address the increasing needs of our patients,” said Dr Eric Cadesky, president of Doctors of BC.  The Association’s policy statement calls on the provincial government to recognize PAs as a regulated profession, with oversight by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. Doctors of BC supports the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants in its campaign to have PAs recognized in BC.  
  
Health care systems are strained by physician shortages and burnout, a population that is living longer, and growing rates of chronic disease. PAs help patients to access care and ease the patient load for physicians, especially when dealing with minor chronic illnesses found in an expanding, aging population.

While PAs are not yet part of the BC health care system, they are practicing in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Internationally, they play central roles in health systems in the United States and the United Kingdom. These jurisdictions are investing in PAs because evidence shows they improve care in a way that is patient-centred and cost-effective.

Tuesday, November 27 is National Physician Assistant Day in Canada.  Please join Doctors of BC in acknowledging PAs across Canada by posting #CanadaNeedsPAs on your social media platforms.