Physician assistants to join team at in innovative pilot project

New role designed to improve access to care

An innovative pilot project will soon be underway at the Hawkesbury & District General Hospital with the addition of physician assistants (PAs) as part of the health care team.

Physician assistants (PAs) are highly skilled health professionals who support physicians in a range of health care settings. The role is being introduced in Ontario and evaluated through various pilot projects.

The PA will work as part of the interprofessional team to provide high quality and timely care. In this pilot project, the PA will not practise independently but work under the direction of a supervising physician, who will determine that individual’s clinical duties and be responsible for the care provided.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to add another qualified health care practitioner to our team to help meet ever increasing patient care needs,” says Dr Jean A. Fairfield, Chief of Staff. “There is significant evidence to show that physician assistants help to improve access to health services and overall quality of care. Expanded teams will help us address staffing pressures and better serve patients in a timely way.”

PAs have historically provided support to the Canadian Forces and have been an integral part of the U.S. health care system for more than 40 years. They are trained to manage medical emergencies as well as routine care needs.

The Hawkesbury & District General Hospital was one of 25 hospitals selected from across the province to participate in the pilot projects. The aim of the pilot projects is to evaluate how the addition of physician assistants helps to improve access to care, reduce wait times, increase patient satisfaction, and ensure that the right care is provided by the right provider at the right time.

The pilot projects are being coordinated through the Ontario Hospital Association as part of an initiative co-led by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and the Ontario Medical Association. The physician assistant role, along with several other new health care provider roles, was introduced with the launch in May 2006 of HealthForceOntario, the Ontario government’s health human resources strategy.

A total of 69 PAs will be working in various clinical settings within the 25 hospitals. At the HGH, two (2) PAs will work in general medicine. The MOHLTC is providing a significant portion of the funding for the positions for the duration of the two-year project.

The activities of the PA(s) may include conducting patient interviews, histories, and physical examinations; performing selected diagnostic and therapeutic interventions; and counseling on preventive health care.

“Any successful approach to health care depends on having a mix of health professionals who work together to provide care,” says Mariëlle Heuvelmans, Vice-President, Clinical and Therapeutic Services. “We need more skilled health professionals and PAs are already an important part of the health care team in other parts of Canada and around the world.”

Patients coming to the HGH will continue to be initially assessed and directed to the health professional most capable of attending to their needs. Handouts will be available to explain the pilot project as well as provide detail about the role of the new physician assistants at the hospital. As always, quality, timely care will be provided by the most appropriate individual.