P.E.I. Expands Nurse Practitioners’ Roles to Address Doctor Shortage

The shortage of family doctors in Canada has prompted provinces like Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) to enhance the roles of nurse practitioners in primary care. With over 35,000 residents on the provincial patient registry lacking a family physician, P.E.I. is taking significant strides to address this crisis by integrating nurse practitioners into the healthcare system.

According to the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada, the scope of practice for nurse practitioners has expanded dramatically in recent years. Their president-elect, Ellen Christie, highlighted that nurse practitioners are increasingly recognized as primary care providers capable of independently managing patient panels. This includes diagnosing medical conditions, ordering lab tests, and prescribing medications.

As healthcare demands rise, the shift towards team-based, collaborative care is becoming more prevalent. Christie noted that nurse practitioners are central to this approach in P.E.I. “P.E.I. is certainly leading the country when it comes to the shift and the implementation of interdisciplinary, team-based care,” she stated, acknowledging her personal stake in the matter.

Team-Based Care Initiatives in P.E.I.

P.E.I. currently has at least 17 Patient Medical Homes where nurse practitioners collaborate with family doctors, social workers, and pharmacists. This model aims to reduce the number of patients on waiting lists and alleviate burnout among healthcare workers. Candice Rochford, secretary of the P.E.I. Nurse Practitioners Association (PEINA), explained that approximately half of the association’s members work in panel positions, serving as lead primary care providers for various patient groups. “The amount of patients that we care for ranges anywhere from 300 to close to 1,000,” Rochford noted, emphasizing that thousands of Islanders rely on nurse practitioners for their primary care.

As Canada observes National Nurse Practitioner Week from November 9 to 15, PEINA is advocating for legislative changes that would allow nurse practitioners to operate their own clinics independently. This would enable them to set flexible hours that better suit patient needs, as currently, many are bound by traditional nine-to-five schedules.

Future Prospects for Nurse Practitioners

Other provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, have moved towards models that support independent nurse practitioner clinics. In Alberta, for example, nurse practitioners can run publicly funded clinics, while Saskatchewan is piloting a government-funded primary care model led by these practitioners.

Looking ahead, an updated interpretation of the Canada Health Act, set to take effect in April 2026, will classify primary care services provided by nurse practitioners as “medically necessary.” This change could provide provincial governments with greater flexibility in allocating federal healthcare funds, traditionally reserved for physicians, to support nurse practitioners. Rochford sees this as an opportunity for P.E.I. to leverage its strong nurse practitioner workforce. “There’s certainly leverage there to significantly improve access for patients in P.E.I.,” she stated.

A report from Health P.E.I. earlier this year confirmed that P.E.I. has the highest number of nurse practitioners per capita in Canada. As the province continues to adapt its healthcare model, the role of nurse practitioners will likely become increasingly vital in ensuring that Islanders receive the care they need.