With the term ‘physician assistant’ becoming an increasingly popular term in Saskatchewan health care recently, an expert in the field is giving the public a crash course.

Dr. Trustin Domes is the academic director of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at the University of Saskatchewan. He describes a physician assistant as another licensed member of the health care team that can extend the services of physicians for enhancing patient care.

They can conduct patient assessment, order and review lab tests, and discuss treatment plans, much like a regular doctor.

“The whole goal is to enhance patient care and access to care and really help the healthcare team with that. It’s another member of the team.”

Thursday November 27 has been designated Physician Assistants Day.

Although PAs have been implemented in other provinces already, Saskatchewan only has five PAs. However, work is underway to recruit and train more in the near future. USask recently launched the province’s first Master of Physician Assistant program, which will see 20 graduates per year starting in 2027. The SHA is also looking at recruiting PAs from the United States.

Ultimately, Domes wants patients to embrace the change and understand that PAs are just as trustworthy and highly qualified to see you as a doctor.