What Is a Physician Assistant? A Quick Guide for Patients
A patient-friendly overview of the PA role — what they can do, how they're trained, and what to expect from your care.
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Learn About PAs — From the Next Generation of Physician Assistants
Created by students in the University of Calgary's inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) cohort as part of their Foundations of Practice course, these resources help patients, providers, preceptors, and future learners better understand the PA role in Canadian health care.
Patients & the Public
Understanding Physician Assistants
These resources explain what Physician Assistants do, where they work, and how they support your care — in clear, accessible language.
How Does a PA Fit Into Your Healthcare Team?
Discover how PAs contribute to collaborative care — reducing wait times and empowering patients through shared decision-making.
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Unpacking the Myths: Common Misconceptions About PAs
A visual guide to correcting common myths — clarifying what PAs do, how they're trained, and how they support patient care.
View full sizeWhat's a PA and What Can They Do for Me? A Brochure for Patients
Introduces the PA role in Canada — explaining how PAs are trained, what they can do, and how they help improve access to timely, team-based care.
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Healthcare Providers & Clinical Preceptors
Working With Physician Assistants
Resources to help physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals understand the PA role within interprofessional teams — including scope of practice, role comparisons, and what to expect from PA students on rotation.
Scope of Practice for PAs in Alberta
Learn how PA responsibilities are defined, delegated, and expanded over time through medical directives and physician supervision.
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How Do PAs Differ From MDs, NPs, and APs?
Compare PA, MD, NP, and Associate Physician roles in one visual — training, supervision, scope, and how they differ in team-based care.
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What to Expect From PA Students in Clinical Settings
Get to know what PA clerks bring to your team — their training, what they can do during rotations, and how to support collaborative learning.
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Prospective PAs
Thinking About Becoming a PA?
These resources outline the key steps to becoming a PA in Canada — from admission and training through to certification — and highlight the many specialties where PAs work.
Students interested in applying to PA programs should consult those programs directly for the most current admission requirements.
Steps to Becoming a PA in Canada
A step-by-step guide to the PA pathway in Canada — admission, training, clerkship, and national certification.
Open guide (PDF)What Specialties Do PAs Work In?
Explore the range of medical specialties and settings where PAs practice across Canada — from emergency medicine to surgery to primary care.
Open guide (PDF)Important notice: The resources on this site were created by students enrolled in the inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the University of Calgary as part of their Foundations of Practice course (Spring 2025). These materials have not been reviewed, endorsed, or authorised by the University of Calgary, the Cumming School of Medicine, or any professional regulatory body. They reflect information available at the time of creation and may not be current or complete. This site is independent of the University of Calgary and is maintained by the student authors, not the institution. For authoritative and up-to-date information on the PA profession in Canada, please visit capa-acam.ca or canadianpa.ca.