Articles on PA Impact in Canada

Top Physician Assistant Articles in Canada

Explore the research shaping the future of the PA profession in Canada.

Discover a curated library of standout articles showcasing how Physician Assistants are transforming healthcare in Canada and around the world. From the earliest days of PA integration to their growing impact in surgery, emergency care, primary care, and more — these studies highlight the progress, potential, and power of PAs in today’s healthcare system.

Whether you're a healthcare provider, policy maker, researcher, or simply PA-curious, this collection offers a meaningful look at how PAs are improving patient care, supporting healthcare teams, and driving system-wide innovation.

Browse articles on:

The evolution and national footprint of PAs in Canada
Economic value and cost-effectiveness
Role expansion in surgical, emergency, and primary care settings
Military, academic, and interdisciplinary team integration
The real-world impact on clinical efficiency and patient outcomes

Research on PA Effectiveness, Experience, and Expansion in Canada

Ontario Physicians evaluate PA competencies and integration challenges (2023)

Burrows K, Nickell L, Krueger P.Physician ratings of PA competencies and their experiences and satisfaction working with PAs: Results from the supervising physician survey in Ontario, Canada. Healthc Manage Forum. 2023;36(5):311-316.
Where are Canada's PAs? (2023)

Jones IW. Where are Canada's PAs in 2023?. JAAPA. 2023;36(6):1-6.
Effect of PAs on Emergency Dept Quality and Efficiency Metrics (2021)

de la Roche MRP, Dyer N, Froats M, et al. Effect of a physician assistant on quality and efficiency metrics in an emergency department: Population cohort study. Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(2):e61-e67.
Multiple Case Study of PA integration in Ontario (2020)

Burrows KE, Abelson J, Miller PA, Levine M, Vanstone M. Understanding health professional role integration in complex adaptive systems: a multiple-case study of physician assistants in Ontario, Canada. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020;20(1):365.
PAs in the Canadian Armed Forces – A Growing Role (2017)

Mertens J, Descoteaux M. The evolution of PAs in the Canadian Armed Forces. JAAPA. 2017;30(1):1-6.
Physician Extenders in Surgery – A Systematic Review (2017)

Johal J, Dodd A. Physician extenders on surgical services: a systematic review. Canadian journal of surgery Journal canadien de chirurgie. 2017;60(3):172-8.
Supporting Primary Care with PAs – A Site Evaluation (2016)

Bowen S, Botting I, Huebner L-A, Wright B, Beaupre B, Permack S, et al. Potential of physician assistants to support primary care. Evaluating their introduction at 6 primary care and family medicine sites. 2016;62(5):e268-e77.
Patient Experience with Ontario PAs in Primary Care (2023)

Moschella A, Burrows K. Patient Experience With Primary Care Physician Assistants in Ontario, Canada: Impact of Trust, Knowledge, and Access to Care. J Patient Exp. 2023;10:23743735231211782. Published 2023 Nov 3. doi:10.1177/23743735231211782
Reducing Resident Workload with PAs in Academic Surgery (2016)

Dies N, Rashid S, Shandling M, Swallow C, Easson AM, Kennedy E. Physician assistants reduce resident workload and improve care in an academic surgical setting. JAAPA. 2016;29(2):41-6.
Boosting Infectious Disease Care with PAs (2015)

Decloe M, McCready J, Downey J, Powis J. Improving health care efficiency through the integration of a physician assistant into an infectious diseases consult service at a large urban community hospital. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2015;26(3):130-132. doi:10.1155/2015/857890
Physician Perspectives on Hiring PAs – A Qualitative Study (2013)

Taylor MT, Wayne Taylor D, Burrows K, Cunnington J, Lombardi A, Liou M. Qualitative study of employment of physician assistants by physicians: benefits and barriers in the Ontario health care system. Can Fam Physician. 2013;59(11):e507-13.
An Overview: PAs in Canada (2014)

Jones IW, St-Pierre N. Physician assistants in Canada. JAAPA. 2014;27(3):11, 3
Introducing PAs to Ontario – Lessons from Early Adoption (2014)

Vanstone M, Boesveld S, Burrows K. Introducing Physician Assistants to Ontario. Health Reform Observer. 2014;2(1).
Role of PAs in Paediatric EDs (2012)

Doan Q, Sabhaney V, Kissoon N, Johnson D, Sheps S, Wong H, et al. The role of physician assistants in a pediatric emergency department: a center review and survey. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012;28(8):783-8.
Canada's 1st National PA Survey - Key Findings (2011)

Jones IW, Seo B, Chauhan TS, Buske L. The results of the first Canadian national physician assistant survey. JAAPA. 2011;24(10):63.
Contribution of PAs in Primary Care (2012)

Hooker RS, Everett CM. The contributions of physician assistants in primary care systems. Health Soc Care Community. 2012;20(1):20-31.
Economic Impact of PAs in Ontario – A Feasibility Study (2011)

Gafni A, Birch S, Buckley G. Economic analysis of Physician Assistants in Ontario: literature review and feasibility study. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University; 2011.
PAs in Canada: Update on Health Policy Initiatives (2011)

Jones IW, Hooker RS. Physician assistants in Canada: update on health policy initiatives. Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(3):e83-e88.