B.C. considers allowing physician assistants to work in ERs

The B.C. government is considering allowing physician assistants to work in hospital emergency rooms.

The province is currently seeking public input on a potential bylaw change that would allow physician assistants to work alongside ER doctors.

Feedback is being sought for a seven-day period, after which time the change can be approved. If that happens, it would put these positions under the oversight of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (CPSBC).

“This will support health-care workers to provide services to patients and help patients access the services they need as we continue to build out team-based care across the health-care system,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix.

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Physician assistants provide “a broad range of health services,” the province says. These services include performing patient exams, ordering laboratory and diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and managing treatment plans. They work under the direction and supervision of doctors.

There are currently only three programs in Canada that offer training to become a physician assistant, which generally takes about 24 months.

“Physician assistants working in emergency departments will increase the workforce that provides emergency services and improve access to care for patients. The college joins its peers across Canada including the colleges in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta in licensing and regulating physician assistants,” said Dr. Heidi Oetter, CEO of the CPSBC.

B.C. is currently one of six Canadian provinces that doesn’t employ physician assistants. The province says there are between 30 and 50 physician assistants currently living in B.C.