Where are Canada's PAs in 2023?

Abstract

Canada's physician assistant (PA) role is slowly expanding as provinces wrestle with a growing need for new healthcare personnel while balancing the costs of medical services. 1 Canada's healthcare system is financed through provincial taxation and federal transfer payments, with 70% of healthcare funding from the public sector and 30% from private out-of-pocket or private insurance. Therefore, public healthcare and postsecondary education depend on government budget allocation. 2 Canadian political and economic realities compete against the pressures to limit taxes while providing services.The exodus of healthcare professionals after the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for clinicians as the Canadian population increases and ages support arguments to increase medical education seats and add more PA training programs. 3,4 Ontario recently announced 52 new PA program seats, effectively double the province's current number. 5 Nova Scotia announced greater use of PAs in the province's EDs. 6 The government of Manitoba announced an increase in healthcare provider training positions, although a proposed doubling of the PA program may not occur until 2024. 7 In addition, new PA education programs are in early development. 8,9