Since the community of Physician Assistants in Canada is small (and continues to grow); many prospective students often don't have connections or know a "friend of a friend" who is PA that may shadow. Here are some resources on how to get you started for shadowing a PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What do I do if I can't find a Physician Assistant to shadow? A. Although it would be a good opportunity to see a Physician Assistant functioning in a clinic, if the opportunity isn't available it might be beneficial to shadow other Health Care Professionals. This will give you a better understanding of how the health care system works, and knowledge about other primary care and allied health professionals that work alongside PA's. This includes Nurse Practitioners, Nurses (RN's, RPNs), Physicians, Residents, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Athletic Therapists and Naturopathic Doctors and Social Workers.
Shadowing PA's in Canada
Contact the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA)
CAPA has a registry of all Certified Physician Assistants in Canada and also has access to members who are well connected in the PA community.
The Physician Assistant Forum is one of the largest communities of PAs online where you can learn about PAs, how they work. It's also a great opportunity to network and learn more with other pre-PA students, PA students, and PA alumni.
If you are interested in shadowing opportunities in the US, this forum may be a good place to start:
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