How McMaster is Fulfilling the Need for Physician Assistants in Canada

Abstract

The Physician Assistant (PA) profession has been growing over the past decade in Canada, and McMaster University was the first institution in Ontario to establish a PA program in 2008. The PA profession occupies a niche in the health care field and is needed to extend physician services contributing to the improvement of patient care. McMaster’s PA Education Program (PAEP) fosters collaboration and problem-based learning (PBL) in order to provide students with skills that are transferable to the workplace. McMaster’s PBL approach arms graduates with lifelong learning skills that are practical in a clinical setting. The following interviews with PAs provide a more comprehensive understanding of the development of the PA niche and proffer a glimpse into how McMaster’s PAEP equips its graduates with practical skills, which will allow them to excel in the workforce.