P.E.I. Expands Role of Nurse Practitioners to Tackle Doctor Shortage

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) is taking significant steps to address its family doctor shortage by expanding the role of nurse practitioners in primary care. With over 35,000 residents currently registered without a family physician, the province is increasingly relying on these healthcare professionals to deliver essential services.

The Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada reports that the scope of practice for nurse practitioners has broadened across the country. According to Ellen Christie, the association’s president-elect, many jurisdictions now recognize nurse practitioners as primary care providers capable of independently managing patient panels. This includes diagnosing medical conditions, ordering lab tests, and prescribing medications.

As healthcare demands continue to rise, P.E.I. is shifting from a traditional solo practice model to a collaborative team-based approach to care. Christie emphasizes that P.E.I. is at the forefront of this transformation, stating, “P.E.I. is certainly leading the country when it comes to the shift and the implementation of interdisciplinary, team-based care.” The province hosts at least 17 Patient Medical Homes, where nurse practitioners collaborate with family doctors, social workers, and pharmacists, among others, to improve patient outcomes.

According to Candice Rochford, secretary of the P.E.I. Nurse Practitioners Association (PEINA), approximately half of the nurse practitioner members in the province serve as the primary care provider for their patient groups. Each nurse practitioner typically manages between 300 and 1,000 patients, significantly contributing to alleviating the burden on the healthcare system. “That’s thousands of Islanders whose primary care is provided by a nurse practitioner,” Rochford noted.

In conjunction with National Nurse Practitioner Week, which runs from November 9 to 15, the PEINA advocates for the province to empower nurse practitioners to operate their own independent clinics. This change would allow them to set flexible hours that better accommodate patient needs, rather than adhering to a standard nine-to-five schedule.

Some provinces, like Alberta, already allow nurse practitioners to run independent, publicly funded clinics, while Saskatchewan is piloting a government-funded model for primary care led by nurse practitioners. Additionally, some practitioners operate privately-run clinics in various provinces.

Looking ahead, an updated interpretation of the Canada Health Act, set to take effect in April 2026, will categorize primary care services provided by nurse practitioners as “medically necessary.” This classification will enable provincial governments to utilize federal healthcare funding traditionally reserved for physicians to support nurse practitioners. “That would be a great opportunity for our government to leverage our nurse practitioners,” Rochford stated.

A report from Health P.E.I. earlier this year revealed that the province boasts the highest number of nurse practitioners per capita in Canada. “There’s certainly leverage there to significantly improve access for patients in P.E.I.,” Rochford added, underscoring the potential for enhanced healthcare delivery in the region.

As P.E.I. navigates the challenges of healthcare provision, the growing role of nurse practitioners stands as a promising solution to a pressing issue, ultimately benefiting thousands of Islanders in need of consistent and accessible primary care.