Canada Needs Physician Assistants!

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

CANADA NEEDS PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS!

National Physician Assistant Day: celebrating Physician Assistants and their contribution to improved patient care

(insert city), November 27, 2016 - Today marks National PA Day and Physician Assistants (PAs) across the country are asking Canadians to join them in celebrating the contributions they are making to Canada's health care system. Whether working in primary care settings increasing the number of same day appointments or acting as first assistants in the operating room; PAs are proving to be an invaluable contribution to the Canadian health care system.

Approximately 4.5 million Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider, and most have great difficulty in accessing medical care in a timely manner; PAs are part of the solution. Through a collaborative partnership with supervising physicians, PAs work within a multidisciplinary patient-centered model of care. In this role, PAs can diagnose and treat patients in a manner that allows for a better distribution of time and resources within the team. PAs are currently practicing in all facets of health care and are saving the system millions of dollars! They are instrumental in improving access to safe high quality medical care and reducing wait times for patients.

PAs are also helping to address the health human resource challenges that exist across Canada. “Working as a PA in (insert city), I have experienced firsthand how challenging it can be for patients to access quality care. My role in (insert specialty) practicing as part of a collaborative team has allowed me the ability to contribute positively by improving access to care and overall enhancing the quality of care that patients are receiving.” (insert name) (Provide specific examples of how you have improved care and stats)

With its origins in the Canadian Armed Forces, PAs have been working in Canada’s health care system for over 50 years. PAs were introduced into public health care settings in Manitoba in 1999, and today they are integral members of health care teams in Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta, with nearly 600 PAs practicing throughout Canada. In the US, PAs have been practicing for over 60 years, and are among the fastest growing segments of the health care workforce; with over 120,000 PAs practicing in virtually every medical specialty. It is projected that by 2020, there will be between 137,000 and 173,000 certified PAs employed throughout the US.

I am proud to represent Canada’s PAs, and would like to applaud my PA colleagues for their important contributions in making Canadians healthier!

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For more information:

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