Authors James Misurka University of Toronto Katherine Lajkosz University Health Network Miran Kenk University Health Network Antonio Finelli Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Neil E. Fleshner Princess Margaret Cancer Centre DOI: https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.8287 Keywords: Physician Assistants Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Physician assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals who act as physician extenders. PAs are being used more and more in a wide variety of clinic settings throughout Canada to increase access to healthcare and reduce cost. We set out to determine the impact of PAs on a tertiary care center urologic oncology practice.

METHODS: We reviewed Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billing codes since the introduction of PAs for two attending urologists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Data were grouped into early experience and established experience. In addition, questionnaires were electronically distributed among nurses, physicians, residents, and fellows who work with PAs in clinic. Patient visits conducted by PAs were tracked for one quarter to estimate the amount of annual patients seen by PAs. The costs associated with PAs are presented as recommendations for a new graduate PA hire.

RESULTS: On average, PAs increased clinic volume by 11.3 patient visits per day. Furthermore, they individually care for an average of 24 patients per day. PAs did not represent a financial burden on the urology practice plan (revenue gain of $16 800). Our questionnaire demonstrated that PAs were capable healthcare professionals, who decreased workload and contributed to resident/fellow education.

CONCLUSIONS: PAs in a Canadian urology practice allow for more patient visits, decrease in physician workload, and positively impact trainee education. PAs saw more patients in clinic than clinic growth, thereby decreasing physician, fellow, and resident workload. The offset of the increase in patient visits made the PAs a cost-neutral investment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

How to Cite

Misurka, J., Lajkosz, K., Kenk, M., Finelli , A. ., & Fleshner, N. (2023). Quantitative and qualitative impact of physician assistants in a Canadian urology setting. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 17(10), 337–40. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.8287

Issue Section

Original Research

License

You, the Author(s), assign your copyright in and to the Article to the Canadian Urological Association. This means that you may not, without the prior written permission of the CUA:

Post the Article on any Web site Translate or authorize a translation of the Article Copy or otherwise reproduce the Article, in any format, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so Copy or otherwise reproduce portions of the Article, including tables and figures, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so.

The CUA encourages use for non-commercial educational purposes and will not unreasonably deny any such permission request.

You retain your moral rights in and to the Article. This means that the CUA may not assert its copyright in such a way that would negatively reflect on your reputation or your right to be associated with the Article.

The CUA also requires you to warrant the following:

That you are the Author(s) and sole owner(s), that the Article is original and unpublished and that you have not previously assigned copyright or granted a licence to any other third party; That all individuals who have made a substantive contribution to the article are acknowledged; That the Article does not infringe any proprietary right of any third party and that you have received the permissions necessary to include the work of others in the Article; and That the Article does not libel or violate the privacy rights of any third party.