Episode #9: Maitry Patel | PA in Radiation Oncology
Episode Summary
In this episode, we explore the the PA role in Radiation Oncology with Maitry Patel, a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant at Princess Margaret Hospital. Our discussion details the clinical integration of PAs within academic oncology departments, the mastery of cross-sectional anatomy, and the administrative strategies used to secure permanent funding. Maitry provides an overview of how PAs serve as a critical bridge within multidisciplinary teams to improve patient access and care outcomes.
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Part 1: Maitry's Journey to PA
0:00 Introduction
0:12 Meet Maitry: A Trailblazing Canadian PA
2:14 Breaking In: Maitry’s First Big Move into the Field
3:22 Decoding the Oncology Landscape
Part 2: Inside the Rad-Onc Clinic
5:13 Why Radiation Oncology Captured My Heart
6:43 Navigating the Toughest Parts of Cancer Care
8:08 Mapping Out My Annual Flow
8:56 A Week in My Shoes: Balancing Clinics and Care
14:33 Training the Next Generation of Oncology PAs
Part 3: The PA Effect in a High Volume Practice
12:04 Building a High-Trust PA/MD Partnership
13:20 Through the Patient’s Eyes: Why Having a PA Matters
18:31 The "PA Effect": Driving Real Change in Radiation Oncology
31:00 Mastering Medical Directives in Ontario
35:46 B Where the PA Profession is Headed
Part 4: Expert Wisdom
Key Takeaways
Adopt a mindset of "bridging the gaps" between members of the health care team, including the patient. Maitry explains that while PAs function as an extension of the entire healthcare team, bridging gaps between administration, nursing, and clinical medicine.
Prioritize cross-sectional anatomy if you're eyeing specialized fields. In Radiation Oncology, being able to interpret CTs, MRIs, and PET scans are vital for PAs in oncology to participate in complex treatment discussions.
Focus on holistic patient advocacy when breaking bad news. Providing high-quality care involves addressing a patient’s emotional resilience and social concerns alongside their clinical treatment.
Track your clinical impact numbers from day one. Maitry was able to quantify her impact on the department, using data to demonstrate that introduction of a PA reduced patient wait times from3 months to 3 weeks, which eventually secured her permanent funding.
Leverage your flexibility as a unique selling point. Unlike residents or fellows who may be site-specific, a PA’s ability to cover multiple site groups, such as breast, prostate, and gynecology, makes them indispensable in busy academic centres like UHN.
About Our Guest
Maitry Patel, CCPA, is a graduate of the McMaster University Physician Assistant program (2014). She currently serves in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, where she manages a diverse patient population across various site groups. Beyond her clinical practice, she is involved in peer-related research and serves on the planning committee for the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology.
