Issue 2: May 2024

It’s hard to overstate the impact of physician extender programs. In many instances, the presence of associate physicians or physician assistants enabled departments to remain open.

We value the contribution of physician extenders to the issues of access to care. It’s hard to overstate the impact of physician extender programs. In many instances, the presence of associate physicians or physician assistants enabled departments to remain open.

Physician extender programs are accredited by the College, with established duties, structures of oversight, and scopes of practice. This process is now fully templated, with a minimum of administrative burden.

At the onset of the pandemic, there were 13 physician extender programs in NS, all within the central zone, all housed within academic departments. At the close of 2023, the number of programs has expanded to 29, with new programs located around the province and not always connected to an academic department. These programs employ 63 physician extenders.

There is an exciting, new pilot project for associate physicians working as hospitalists in the northern zone. The project enables successful candidates to progress to licensure as the most responsible physician after two years working as an associate physician. To our knowledge, this is a first of its kind project in Canada, which will also generate a recruiting advantage.

The provincial government amended the regulations to the Medical Act, conferring upon the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia the responsibility and authority to regulate physician assistants within the province, effective April 1, 2024.