Physician assistants approved to work in a B.C. hospital for the 1st time
Physician assistants are making history at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital on Vancouver Island as the first of their profession to be approved to work in a B.C. hospital setting. These medical professionals work under the supervision of physicians, providing essential support in patient care.
While physician assistants do not hold a medical degree, they undergo rigorous training in a two-year graduate program that follows the same medical model used for training doctors. In British Columbia, they are not yet considered a designated health profession, but two physician assistants have joined the Saanich Peninsula Hospital as part of a one-year pilot program approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.
Unlike nurse practitioners who already work across the province, physician assistants cannot practice independently from a doctor. Currently, they are only permitted to work in emergency departments within the B.C. health system. The introduction of physician assistants at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital is aimed at addressing staffing shortages and improving access to healthcare services.
Dr. Brendon Irvine, the medical leader of the hospital’s ER, expressed optimism about the impact of having physician assistants on the team. These professionals can conduct patient interviews, perform physical examinations, and carry out a broad range of duties under the guidance of a physician. The goal is to enhance patient care and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system, especially during periods of high patient volume.
The Saanich Peninsula Hospital, located just north of Victoria, has faced challenges in the past, including temporary closures of its emergency room overnight. The addition of physician assistants like Fu Wu (Fred) Bai and Eric Demers is seen as a step towards increasing human resources and improving healthcare services in the region.
Fu Wu Bai, who previously worked as a medical geneticist in China and later as a nurse in Manitoba, brings valuable experience to his role as a physician assistant. He believes that having physician assistants in the emergency room can expedite the delivery of care, citing their successful integration into healthcare systems worldwide.
The Health Ministry and other stakeholders collaborated to bring forward the one-year pilot program at Saanich Peninsula Hospital. The plan is to eventually expand the team to include a full complement of six physician assistants across the hospital. By embracing this innovative approach to healthcare delivery, B.C. is paving the way for the recognition and utilization of physician assistants in hospital settings.
The integration of physician assistants into the healthcare workforce is a positive development that holds promise for enhancing patient care and addressing staffing challenges in hospitals. As these professionals become more widely accepted and integrated into the healthcare system, they can play a crucial role in improving access to quality care for patients across British Columbia.
