Whereas the BC Ministry of Health has undertaken operational reforms in an attempt to revitalize the primary care system, but communities across the province still experience physician shortages and other significant primary care challenges; And whereas physician assistants PAs are qualified health professionals whose role is to provide a broad range of medical services under physician supervision; who are licensed to practice in many provinces across Canada, as well as in the Canadian Armed Forces; and who are recognized by the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants and the British Columbia Medical Association Doctors of BC; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM strongly encourage the provincial Ministry of Health to recognize and regulate physician assistants so that they may practice in BC, with establishment of an appropriate system for liability coverage, and regulatory oversight by an organization similar to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, as one of the steps toward meeting health care demands and alleviating physician shortages in all areas of the province.
Ministry of Health BC has closely monitored the experience and implementation of physician assistants in other provinces in Canada since 2008. The decision to introduce a new profession requires thoughtful analysis of gaps in current care models, patient needs, and whether the use of existing health care professions can address those gaps or needs. To date, there is little evidence to suggest that gaps in care cannot be filled by existing health care professionals such as nurse practitioners. Since 2005, nurse practitioners have provided services in the publicly-funded health care system in BC. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education. They are authorized to perform the full range of nursing functions plus additional functions of assessment, diagnosing, prescribing, ordering diagnostic tests, managing common acute and chronic illnesses, and referring patients to specialists. As independent practitioners, nurse practitioners do not require a physicians order to act and may serve as the primary care provider in collaboration with other members of the health care team. The Ministry has ongoing discussions with other provinces that have introduced physician assistants. With small numbers and inconsistent distribution, the physician assistant profession in Canada remains relatively new. However, BC will continue to monitor as the health system evolves and consider whether introduction of this new profession would meet patient care needs more effectively than through existing professions.