title: Insights into the physician assistant profession in Canada.
abstract: Physician assistants (PAs) have been used for decades in the Canadian military. Now, PAs are being introduced in various clinical settings to provide patient care for the general population. This article reviews major developments in the PA profession across Canada over the last decade. Nearly 541 PAs are employed in Canada or work for a Canadian agency. Growing evidence demonstrates the positive effect of PAs; however, key issues challenge the extent to which the PA movement will continue to build momentum.
authors.affiliation: At the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Ottawa, Danielle Fréchette is executive director of health systems innovation and external relations and Arun Shrichand is senior analyst of health system and policies. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fréchette
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrichand
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D010823:Physician Assistants