How Manitoba Physicians see the Value of Physician Assistants

Manitoba MD views of the value of PAs

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5203/jcanpa.v1i5.868

Keywords:

Value, Wellness, Collaborative Practice, Health Workforce

Abstract

This research investigates the value of physician assistants (PA), presenting the opinions of twenty supervising physicians on how PAs contribute to patient care, the health system, and the physician’s wellness.  In May 2019, 72 supervising physicians of Manitoba’s 116 clinical PAs were sent a twenty-question electronic survey asking their perspectives of PA’s Value. A Literature review used PubMed, and Google Scholar search engines for the terms Value, physician assistant, and combinations of phrases related to PA benefit, PA values, Physician Value, and Canadian physician concerns with PAs, to guide the question development. 

Twenty physicians responded from the list of the seventy-two physician supervisors contacted, representing a response rate of 27.7%.  Three of the physician respondents have employed a PA for less than a year, 85% or 16 MD for more than two years, with 36.84% of the total for longer than five years. Eighty-five percent (n=18/20) of the responding physicians rated the value of having a PA as very valuable or extremely valuable. At the same time, 95% (n=19) were likely or extremely likely to recommend hiring a PA to a friend or colleague. One physician did not find value in the PA they hired. The phrases used by physicians in describing the Value PAs brought to Manitoba Healthcare included Honesty and Respect (78.95%), Improved Access (73%), Excellence In Care (63.1%), A Better Workplace (78.95%), Better Patient Safety (73.68%), Better Teamwork (84.21%), Accountability (73.68%),  Efficiency (73.68%), Decreased Stress 42.11%, and Better Communication with Patients (57.89%)

Ultimately, the determination of PA’s Value is through the lenses of those looking and asking what is needed.  Manitoba physicians represented in this survey indicate extreme satisfaction with the quality and Value PAs contribute to their practice environment and personal lives.

Author Biography

Ian W Jones, University of Manitoba MPAS

Ian W Jones, MPAS, PA-C, CCPA, DFAAPA is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the University of Manitoba's Master Physician Assistant Studies. Currently founding and Managing Editor of the Journal of Canada's Physician Assistants. Additional roles include serving as the President of the Canadian PA Educator Association.

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Published

2020-08-12

How to Cite

Jones, I. W. (2020). How Manitoba Physicians see the Value of Physician Assistants: Manitoba MD views of the value of PAs. The Journal of Canada’s Physician Assistants, 1(5), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.5203/jcanpa.v1i5.868