What is a PA?On behalf of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA), I invite you to learn more about the Physician Assistant (PA) profession.
Physician Assistants (PA’s) are highly skilled health professionals who practice in a physician extender role. They perform tasks similar to those performed by their physician supervisors, including examination, diagnosis, testing, referrals and treatment including prescribing. In Canada, the PA role was developed within the Canadian Forces Health Services to provide a full spectrum of medical care to its members. In 2003 the Canadian Forces PA program was accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.
In Manitoba, PA’s have practiced as "clinical assistants" since 2002, primarily in medical and surgical specialties. Ontario currently has numerous PA projects underway, employing PA’s in emergency departments, in hospital services and in community care centers. PA’s have been a safe and effective part of the U.S. health system for over 40 years. The length and breadth of the U.S. experience, with approximately 63,000 PA’s currently in practice and 139 accredited programs, has yielded ample data on the efficacy, patient acceptability, and safety of the physician/PA model.
PA’s are not independent practitioners; they work under the direction of a supervising physician within the client/patient-centred care team that might include nurses, nurse practitioners, and other providers. They are integral to the team and supplement, not supplant the work of physicians. The success of PA’s in the Canadian Forces, early reports from civilian PA practice, and the growth of provincial initiatives suggest that PA’s are emerging as a viable solution to reducing wait times and increasing access to care in a timely, safe and cost-effective manner.
The Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) is a national professional organization that advocates for Physician Assistants and represents its membership across Canada and globally. CAPA sets and maintains the national standard of practice for PA’s. It assists in providing the National Certification Process and Registry for its members. CAPA’s goal is to provide efficacious health professionals to the Canadian public, and to foster the development of the profession in all provinces.
Thank you for your interest in the Physician Assistant profession. For more information please visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” area of the web site or contact us directly if you would like to learn more.
Sincerely,
Maurice Chapman, CCPA President
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