McMaster pioneers physician assistant program

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cunnington_john.jpg” caption=”Dr. John Cunnington, director of the McMaster physician assistant education program. Photo courtesy of FHS.”]A program to train physician assistants to work alongside Ontario physicians is being launched at McMaster University.

This will be Ontario's first physician assistant program and Canada's first civilian program at an undergraduate level for these health care professionals who will practice medicine under physician supervision in a wide range of health care settings.

Physician assistants (PA) have been part of the U.S. health care system since the 1960s. In Canada, PAs work in the Canadian Armed Forces and in Manitoba, where they are designated clinical assistants.

“McMaster is pleased to lead the development of new types of health care professionals who will improve access to quality health care for the residents of Ontario,” said Dr. John Kelton, dean and vice-president of McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences.

The first 20 students will begin the full two-year program in September. The program will be taught using McMaster's internationally-renowned small group, problem-based-learning approach, which focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, initiative and promotion of lifelong learning.

“Our mission is to educate energetic, innovative, committed and caring people to become role models in this new profession,” said Dr. John Cunnington, director of the McMaster PA education program.

Hamilton MPPs Ted McMeekin and Sophia Aggelonitis are supportive of the new program funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

“Once again McMaster leads the pack in addressing the need for well
trained health professionals,” said McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale which includes the campus. “This initiative adds to the innovative approach now taken to meet the health care needs of our citizens.”

Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain, added: “McMaster's vision for healthcare professionals will go a long way to keeping our province strong. Our citizens deserve the very best, and McMaster recognizes the importance of providing excellent healthcare options to the people of Ontario.”

Depending on the scope of the supervising physician's practice, PAs may conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care and assist in surgery.

Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.

A PA's practice may also include education, research and administrative services.

Graduates will qualify to take the national physician assistant certification examination. They will have the skills and competencies necessary to practice as PAs in Canada.

Applicants must have completed two years of a university program, but there are no prerequisite courses. Candidates have a June 15, 2008 deadline to submit both a program application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) at www.ouac.on.ca and a supplementary application directly to the program.

More details on the program and application process may be found on the program's website at www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/physicianassistant.