There has been a lot of talk lately about how to improve health care systems across Canada.
In Nova Scotia, the provincial government recently announced additional resources to ease pressure on overstretched emergency departments.
Part of his emergency care plan is to have physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners provide care in the emergency department.
The Nova Scotia provincial director of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants works in Ontario, but says he would like to return home to Nova Scotia.
“It would be nice to come home and help the province get more PAs into the communities, that would be a bonus,” Peter Thibeault told CTV Atlantic’s Todd Battis in an interview Tuesday night.
Thibeault says physician assistants can perform multiple tasks in the healthcare system.
“From emergency rooms to specialties in medicine to family practices, the jobs are endless, in fact, because physician assistants are such a value that they can branch out into any aspect they wish. There is a defined scope and they can then build on that to expand where they would like to work.
Physician assistants work under the supervision of physicians, who can be reached by phone or Zoom.
Thibeault says he would like people to have a better understanding of the position.
“Education about what a PA is, about the value that a PA can bring – that’s where we grow up and people say, ‘Hey, I want a PA to work here.’ And that’s what Nova Scotia did.
In Canada, physician assistants work in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and, more recently, Nova Scotia.
“[I’m] pleased to report that the three Physician Assistants who were doing the Orthopedics Pilot, Government Saw, Healthcare Saw, that was the right thing and these positions are now permanent at QEII,” says Thibeault.
He adds that Nova Scotia has hired six more physician assistants – three to work at Dartmouth General Hospital and three to work at Bridgewater Memorial Hospital.
“And my hopes and dreams are, and I’m sure many other Nova Scotians, is to have a physician assistant in their community,” he says.
Thibeault says the two main places he can see the benefits of physician assistants working in Nova Scotia are family medicine practices and emergency rooms.
“And one of the things I always say, PAs can identify someone who doesn’t need to go to the ER for minor issues. ERs are for emergencies only and having physician assistants employed in family practices – walk-in clinics would be perfect – this would hopefully take some of the pressure off.
Thibeault also says he would like to see a physician assistant training program in Nova Scotia.
“Provinces in Atlantic Canada that provide medical schools, [it] It would be great if they could start a project and start a PA program like the other three universities in Canada. I would be more than happy to help and get things done.
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