Dalhousie University Launches Physician Assistant Program to Boost Healthcare

A new program at Dalhousie University aims to address the increasing demands of the healthcare system by training students to become physician assistants. This two-year initiative is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to work alongside doctors and other healthcare professionals, ultimately enhancing patient care in Nova Scotia.

The program adopts the “medical model,” a prevalent framework in healthcare that treats health issues as biological problems. This approach emphasizes the importance of professional diagnosis and treatment to restore normal bodily functions. According to Dr. Michael Clory, assistant dean for the program, “A physician assistant is a medically trained specialist who provides care to patients in a very similar way to physicians. The training is in the medical model, allowing them to examine patients, take histories, and order appropriate tests and management.”

In this innovative role, physician assistants will collaborate closely with supervising physicians. If faced with uncertainties regarding a patient’s condition, they are expected to consult with their supervising physician. Despite this oversight, physician assistants will be capable of offering comprehensive treatment across various medical disciplines.

The program consists of two main phases. The first year focuses on didactic learning, where students gain foundational knowledge about medicine and the medical model. In the second year, students transition into clinical practice through clerkships, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as family medicine and surgery. Tara Lapointe, a participant in the program, shared her positive experience, highlighting the immediate benefits for patients. “I have felt so valued,” she said. “Patients were able to see a provider much sooner and received more consistent follow-up care.”

The implications of this program for healthcare access in Nova Scotia are significant. Dr. Clory noted that the program accepts 24 students annually, which will contribute a substantial number of new healthcare providers over five years. “We anticipate that physician assistants will allow family practices to manage an additional 400 to 600 patients, improving access to care,” he explained.

This initiative represents a vital step in expanding the healthcare workforce in Nova Scotia, addressing the pressing need for increased patient care capacity. As the program progresses, it is expected to have a lasting impact on healthcare delivery in the region, ensuring that more patients receive timely and effective medical attention.