A Perspective on the Economic Sustainability of the Physician Assistant Profession in Canada

Authors

  • Ian Jones MPAS, PA-C, CCPA Journal of Canada's Physician Assistants Office of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Manitoba
  • Russell Ives Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Director of the Physician and Clinical Assistant Program PA - Section of Plastics, Department of Surgery
  • Kristen Burrows Assistant Dean, McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine PhD candidate, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
  • Andrew W Jones PhD Candidate York University (Ontario)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5203/jcanpa.v1i1.628

Abstract

Physician Assistant funding is about dollars and cents, but will we have those dollars if we don’t apply common sense? The physician assistant (PA) role represents one of the most revolutionary and yet financially subversive additions to our current health care system.  PAs are medically educated clinicians whose generalist training allows them to work in any setting within a formalized agreement with a physician. When used to their full capacity, PAs help supplement physician care, increase patient access to care, and improve efficiencies.  Despite provincial interest in improving access and delivering cost-effective and efficient health care, our healthcare system rarely factors in the opportunity costs and comparative advantages offered by the introduction of PAs. This paper outlines the importance of increasing Government and employer awareness of sustainable funding models and the growing need to develop alternative policies to support PA utilization to optimize healthcare delivery. If the effectiveness of the PA role comes down to dollars and cents, then it is time to examine those dollars using common economic sense to ensure a sustainable and accessible healthcare system for all Canadians.

Author Biographies

Ian Jones, MPAS, PA-C, CCPA Journal of Canada's Physician Assistants Office of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Manitoba

Ian W Jones, MPAS, PA-C, CCPA, DFAAPA

Assistant Professor and Program Director of University of Manitoba's Master Physician Assistant Studies. Canadian Association of Physician Assistants President (CAPA) 2009to 2011; Currently Managing Editor of the Journal of Canada’s Physician Assistants.   

Kristen Burrows, Assistant Dean, McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine PhD candidate, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Assistant Dean, McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine; PhD candidate, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact

Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Andrew W Jones, PhD Candidate York University (Ontario)

BA (Honours Economics) Univ of Winnipeg; MA (International Policical Economics) Univ of Warwick UK; PHD (Candidate)  YorK University

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Published

2018-07-01

How to Cite

Jones, I., Ives, R., Burrows, K., & Jones, A. W. (2018). A Perspective on the Economic Sustainability of the Physician Assistant Profession in Canada. The Journal of Canada’s Physician Assistants, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.5203/jcanpa.v1i1.628

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Section

Perspective, opinion, and commentary: