Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario

In 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) introduced Physician Assistants (PAs) through the announcement of demonstration projects, education and training programs, and subsequent funding. PAs are directly supervised by physicians and act as physician extenders by performin...

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Main Authors: Meredith Vanstone, Sarah Boesveld, Kristen Burrows
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: McMaster University Library Press 2014-02-01
Series:Health Reform Observer - Observatoire des Réformes de Santé
Subjects:
Online Access:https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/hro-ors/article/view/1187/1226
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author Meredith Vanstone
Sarah Boesveld
Kristen Burrows
author_facet Meredith Vanstone
Sarah Boesveld
Kristen Burrows
author_sort Meredith Vanstone
collection DOAJ
description In 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) introduced Physician Assistants (PAs) through the announcement of demonstration projects, education and training programs, and subsequent funding. PAs are directly supervised by physicians and act as physician extenders by performing acts as delegated to them by their supervising physicians. PAs were proposed as a potential solution to help improve access to health care and reduce wait times throughout the province. Prior to the 2006 Ministry announcement, there was little public discussion regarding the acceptance of the PA role or its sustainability. Opposition from nursing and other groups emerged in response to the 2006 announcement and flared again when stakeholder comments were solicited in 2012 as part of the PA application for status as regulated health professionals. As a health reform, the introduction of PAs has neither succeeded nor failed. In 2013, the majority of PA funding continues to be provided by the MOHLTC, and it is unknown whether the PA role will be sustainable when the MOHTLC withdraws salary funding and health system employers must decide whether or not to continue employing PAs at their own expense.
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spelling doaj.art-5b020e38b57d48cea91a042a45c8c89a2022-12-21T19:50:45ZengMcMaster University Library PressHealth Reform Observer - Observatoire des Réformes de Santé2291-63692014-02-012110.13162/hro-ors.02.01.04Introducing Physician Assistants to OntarioMeredith Vanstone0Sarah Boesveld1Kristen Burrows2McMaster UniversityMcMaster UniversityMcMaster UniversityIn 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) introduced Physician Assistants (PAs) through the announcement of demonstration projects, education and training programs, and subsequent funding. PAs are directly supervised by physicians and act as physician extenders by performing acts as delegated to them by their supervising physicians. PAs were proposed as a potential solution to help improve access to health care and reduce wait times throughout the province. Prior to the 2006 Ministry announcement, there was little public discussion regarding the acceptance of the PA role or its sustainability. Opposition from nursing and other groups emerged in response to the 2006 announcement and flared again when stakeholder comments were solicited in 2012 as part of the PA application for status as regulated health professionals. As a health reform, the introduction of PAs has neither succeeded nor failed. In 2013, the majority of PA funding continues to be provided by the MOHLTC, and it is unknown whether the PA role will be sustainable when the MOHTLC withdraws salary funding and health system employers must decide whether or not to continue employing PAs at their own expense.https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/hro-ors/article/view/1187/1226physician assistantOntariohealth human resourceshealth professions
spellingShingle Meredith Vanstone
Sarah Boesveld
Kristen Burrows
Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario
Health Reform Observer - Observatoire des Réformes de Santé
physician assistant
Ontario
health human resources
health professions
title Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario
title_full Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario
title_fullStr Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario
title_full_unstemmed Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario
title_short Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario
title_sort introducing physician assistants to ontario
topic physician assistant
Ontario
health human resources
health professions
url https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/hro-ors/article/view/1187/1226
work_keys_str_mv AT meredithvanstone introducingphysicianassistantstoontario
AT sarahboesveld introducingphysicianassistantstoontario
AT kristenburrows introducingphysicianassistantstoontario