What is a physician assistant?
Physician Assistants (PAs) are dynamic, highly trained medical professionals who play an essential role in delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care across Canada. Working in collaborative practice with physicians, PAs bring a broad medical skill set and a flexible, team‑based approach that strengthens healthcare delivery and enhances patient experiences. Practising in diverse settings including family medicine, emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, and a wide range of specialty practices, PAs are trusted contributors throughout the continuum of care. By improving access to timely medical services and responding to the evolving needs of patients and communities, Physician Assistants are helping to expand and shape the future of Canadian healthcare.
The PA profession originated in the 1960s in the United States and was introduced in Canada in the late 1980s through the Canadian Armed Forces to improve access to medical services for military personnel. Over time, the role expanded into civilian healthcare settings, where PAs are now integral members of interprofessional healthcare teams. Today, the profession continues to grow in response to Canada’s evolving healthcare needs, with regulation and integration varying by province.
In collaboration with their supervising physicians, PAs conduct patient assessments, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications where authorized, and assist in procedures and surgeries. Their scope of practice is shaped by provincial legislation and regulatory oversight by Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as by individual clinical training and experience and the needs of the healthcare setting.
Canadian trained PA must complete either a BScPA or MPAS degree then sit the national Physician Assistant Certification Exam (PACE) delivered by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada.
Canadian PAs are represented nationally by the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA), which supports professional advocacy, education, and standards of practice across the country. More information about the physician assistant profession and the association’s mission and activities can be found on their website.