PA Program

McMaster University P.A. Program

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. 

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.

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

University of Toronto P.A. Program

The program is under the Consortium of PA Education (a collaboration of UofT Faculty of Medicine, Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences), welcomed its first students January 4 2010, with an intake of 24 students.

They are now open for applications for their January 2011 intake.

Their website is www.PAconsortium.ca

Their program is unique in Ontario as it is not only facilitated through the tripartite Consortium, but it is also a blended learning program in which students spend time in face-to-face hands-on sessions for approximately one month per semester (Residential Blocks) in first year, and the rest of the time they are at home, in an on-line learning environment. Year Two is the clinical year, but there will still be 0n-line academic courses and two Residential Blocks. The program, like McMaster’s, is 24 months in length, is second-entry because they require a minimum of two years of University education as a pre-requisite. They additionally require 1680 hours (one year full time equivalent) of experience as a professional health care provider, with direct patient contact.