P.E.I. Expands Nurse Practitioners’ Role to Address Doctor Shortage

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) is taking significant strides 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 fill the gaps in patient care.

According to the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada, nurse practitioners have seen their scope of practice broaden in recent years. Ellen Christie, the association’s president-elect, notes that in many regions, nurse practitioners are recognized as primary care providers capable of independently managing a panel of patients. They can diagnose medical conditions, order lab tests, prescribe medications, and perform various procedures, contributing to a more robust healthcare system.

The ongoing demand for healthcare services, coupled with a limited supply of providers, has prompted a shift away from the traditional model of solo family practices. Instead, many provinces, including P.E.I., are moving towards team-based, collaborative care. Christie emphasized P.E.I.’s leadership in 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.”

P.E.I. currently hosts at least 17 Patient Medical Homes, where nurse practitioners collaborate with family doctors, social workers, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. This integrated approach aims to reduce patient wait times and alleviate burnout among healthcare workers. Candice Rochford, secretary of the P.E.I. Nurse Practitioners Association (PEINA), highlighted that about half of the association’s members serve as primary-care providers for specific patient groups.

“The amount of patients that we care for ranges anywhere from 300 to close to 1,000,” Rochford explained. “That’s thousands of Islanders whose primary care is provided by a nurse practitioner, so we’re certainly helping with that gap.”

As Canada prepares to celebrate National Nurse Practitioner Week from November 9 to 15, PEINA is advocating for the province to allow nurse practitioners to establish independent clinics. Rochford believes that this change would enable them to work outside traditional hours, tailoring their schedules to better meet patient needs.

In provinces like Alberta, nurse practitioners can run independent, publicly funded clinics, while Saskatchewan is piloting a model for primary care led by these professionals. Some regions also allow nurse practitioners to operate privately run clinics, further diversifying access to care.

Looking ahead, an updated interpretation of the Canada Health Act, set to take effect in April 2026, will classify primary-care services provided by nurse practitioners as “medically necessary.” Rochford expressed optimism about this change, stating it would allow provincial governments to utilize federal healthcare funds traditionally allocated for physicians to support nurse practitioners. “That would be a great opportunity for our government to leverage our nurse practitioners,” she said.

A report from Health P.E.I. earlier this year indicated that P.E.I. has 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 concluded, reinforcing the critical role these healthcare providers play in addressing the province’s pressing medical needs.