Saanich Peninsula Hospital becomes the first in British Columbia to employ Physician Assistants, aiming to address the growing doctor shortage. These specially trained professionals work under the supervision of physicians, expanding healthcare capacity and improving patient access.
A Vancouver Island hospital has become the first in British Columbia to employ physician assistants (PAs) in an effort to alleviate the ongoing doctor shortage crisis. These PAs, while not possessing medical degrees, have completed rigorous two-year graduate programs and work under the supervision of licensed physicians. Dr.
Paeta Lehn, an ER doctor and the medical lead for the Physician Assistant Program at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, highlighted the growing demand for PAs over the past decade and a half. He explained that PAs play a crucial role in expanding healthcare capacity by assisting with patient volume, performing procedures, and contributing to a coordinated healthcare team. He emphasized the significant increase in patient numbers at Saanich Peninsula Hospital in recent years, noting a surge of 40 to 50 percent. In this context, PAs function as physician extenders, enabling them to see additional patients under the guidance and oversight of supervising physicians.Fuw Bei, one of the physician assistants at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, shared his insights on the challenges the hospital has faced due to the doctor shortage. He revealed that the hospital had to close its emergency department 19 times in 2023 and 20 times in the previous year, a total of 39 closures in just two years. He underscored the ongoing struggle to maintain adequate healthcare services amidst staffing shortages. Local MLA, Tim Goetz, expressed his concerns regarding the persistent doctor and nurse shortages, particularly in rural areas. He stated that he had met with the new Health Minister, Josie Osborne, in December and discussed the urgent need for a comprehensive plan to address these issues. Goetz acknowledged Osborne's commitment to finding solutions and working collaboratively to alleviate the healthcare crisis.While acknowledging that physician assistants cannot fully resolve the physician shortage, Goetz viewed their integration as a positive step forward. He explained that PAs can provide valuable support to doctors by taking on some of their workload, allowing physicians to focus on more complex cases. He likened the role of a PA to that of an apprentice in construction, learning and assisting a skilled tradesperson. The introduction of physician assistants at Saanich Peninsula Hospital represents a promising initiative to enhance healthcare accessibility and address the pressing need for more medical professionals in British Columbia
Physician Assistants Doctor Shortage Healthcare Saanich Peninsula Hospital British Columbia
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