Many different health professions work together to deliver services in a hospital. The relationship between these professions and the hospital is as dynamic as it is complex. The OHA is focused on ensuring that all professions work in an integrated fashion.
There are over 23,000 registered physicians in Ontario, a large number of whom practice in our public hospitals. They are a major provider of clinical-based services, and issues that affect how physicians deliver care become issues that affect hospitals.
Other Regulated Health Professionals
Regulated health professions are required by law to deliver competent, ethical and professional services, and are accountable to the public through their respective colleges for their professional behaviour and activities.
Other Healthcare Providers
New professions are a growing part of Ontario's health care landscape. The physician assistant (PA) role, for example, is currently being introduced to the Ontario health care system as an innovative health human resources solution to increase access to needed care in high-demand areas.
The OHA's Physician and Professional Issues department responds to member issues related to physician and all other regulated health care professions such as registered nurses, physiotherapists, midwives, medical radiation technologists, and lab technologists; as well as responding to issues relating to some newer provider disciplines, such as physician assistants. We remain proactive in collaborating and providing input to various stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC), regarding issues that impact hospital-based services.