Quantitative and qualitative impact of physician assistants in a Canadian urology setting

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.