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On Tuesday, the inaugural class of 20 students received their stethoscopes at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine for joining the master’s program of Physician Assistant Studies, marking a new chapter in Saskatchewan’s healthcare.
Physician assistants are professionals with advanced training to practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician as part of a health care team.
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Their role is to provide primary and long-term care, cancer care, as well as emergency medicine, general internal medicine and surgical specialties. Physician assistants can conduct patient examinations, tests and prescribe medications.
The competitive program received 340 applicants for 20 seats. Saskatchewan students made up 75 per cent of the class.
Rachel Rosin is one of those students. She was drawn to the program because it focused on practising in rural Saskatchewan.
“It means a lot that Saskatchewan is offering those opportunities for students here to develop those skills to become a very skilled provider in those communities,” she said.
On Sept. 9, the inaugural class of 20 students received their stethoscopes at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine for joining the master’s program of Physician Assistant Studies. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)
The provincial government said more than $7 million has been invested to develop the two-year program, and in 2023, announced a $1.3 million investment for physician assistant positions.
New legislation was also introduced, which allows these professionals to be licensed to practice within Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said one of the best ways to recruit physician assistants is to offer training within the province.
“There will be job opportunities for all 20 graduates in two years there,” he said. “If they want to be here in Saskatchewan, we’re going to have a job for them.”
The College of Medicine and the Saskatchewan Health Authority are partnering to train the new physician assistants. Saskatchewan is the first in Canada to combine both clinical work and teaching.
According to the province, two of these positions have been filled and “will play a key role in the new program for future (physician’s assistants).”
College of Medicine Dean Dr. Sarah Forgie said the University of Saskatchewan is one of the few schools in Canada that houses almost all sciences within a single institution, noting such programs help support and strengthen the healthcare system.
Forgie said physicians in the province are currently working at maximum capacity, and the addition of physician assistants to a health care team can help alleviate those pressures.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is actively recruiting physician assistants, and has already hired four who are practising in Saskatoon, Regina and Meadow Lake.
