Physician assistants in the United States

Mittman, David E; Cawley, James F.; Fenn, William H

doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7362.485

Cited by 88 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…8,15 The rapid responses from readers were also published. These two papers attracted a total of 24 responses (18 and 6, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 The first trainees were highly skilled military paramedics who, following the Vietnam war, had no equivalent medical role in their civilian life. 14,15 It is widely considered that PAs make an important contribution to healthcare, 16 and have the potential to decrease doctors' working hours. 17 There are currently more than 50,000 PAs in the USA working in all areas of medicine and 134 education programmes for PAs.…”

Section: History and Role Of Physician Assistantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Can physician assistants be effective in the UK?

Stewart

Catanzaro²

2005

Clinical Medicine

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faces a serious shortage of medical staff. One solution is to introduce US-style physician assistants (PAs) who train for around two years following previous clinical work or a first degree, and perform duties similar to junior doctors. This paper reviews the history and role of PAs, the quality of their work and their likely impact in the UK. A variety of sources were searched to identify suitable studies. The use of PAs in the UK appears to be an acceptable model that could eventually reduce the current skill shortage and provide high quality patient care. Twelve US-sourced PAs currently work in Sandwell, West Midlands. A recent report suggests they have made a substantial contribution to primary care and have improved patient access. For PAs to be successful in the UK, they must be highly regarded practitioners. High quality educational courses must be established to ensure their credibility. KEY WORDS: education, physician assistant, primary care, secondary care, standardsIt is widely acknowledged that the shortage of qualified medical staff is crippling the NHS. 1-5 There appear to be fewer doctors and nurses per capita in the UK than in other developed countries. 6 The NHS Plan stated that staffing constraints, rather than lack of funding, posed the greatest threat to NHS modernisation. 7 The provision of additional trained staff should improve access to health care, improving waiting lists. 6 One possible solution is to introduce US-style physician assistants (PAs) who undergo two years' intensive training following previous clinical work and a first degree, and perform duties similar to junior doctors. 5 This paper reviews the history and role of PAs, as well as the quality of their work and how their introduction in the UK would be likely to impact on health services. Results from a recent study of American PAs working in Sandwell are reported.

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“…8,15 The rapid responses from readers were also published. These two papers attracted a total of 24 responses (18 and 6, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History and Role Of Physician Assistantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can physician assistants be effective in the UK?

Stewart

Catanzaro²

2005

Clinical Medicine

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“…There are more than 50,000 PAs practising throughout the USA and based on the success of the American model, PAs also practise in Canada, India, and in some parts of Europe. 1,2 In the USA, most physician assistants practise in primary care where studies have estimated that in such roles they can provide '80% or more of the services previously provided only by physicians -at the same level of quality' . 1 Reversing the trend established by our Pilgrim Fathers, in 2003 two American-trained PAs crossed the Atlantic and took up posts in primary care in Tipton in the Midlands.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 In the USA, most physician assistants practise in primary care where studies have estimated that in such roles they can provide '80% or more of the services previously provided only by physicians -at the same level of quality' . 1 Reversing the trend established by our Pilgrim Fathers, in 2003 two American-trained PAs crossed the Atlantic and took up posts in primary care in Tipton in the Midlands. Since then, a further 16 American PAs have been recruited, working in both primary and secondary care in Sandwell and City Hospital, Birmingham.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the mid-1960s a new cadre of providers of medical care -physician assistants (PAs) -was developed in the USA in an effort to 'relieve a nationwide shortage of doctors in primary care and to increase access to health care for people in under-served areas'. 1 According to a description provided by the Department of Healthcare Sciences at George Washington University, physician assistants are 'highly qualified health professionals who are prepared, through a demanding academic and clinical curriculum, to provide healthcare services under physician supervision' . On graduation, physician assistants must pass the national certifying examination of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (an independent accrediting agency), must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and pass a recertification examination every six years.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A new professional in the healthcare workforce: role, training, assessment and regulation

Armitage

Shepherd

2005

Clinical Medicine

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Patient care, integration and collaboration of physician associates in multiprofessional teams: A mixed methods study

et al. 2023

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Aims The aim of the study was to explore the physician associate role in patient care, integration and collaboration with team members, within the hospital setting. Design Convergent mixed methods case study design. Methods Questionnaires with some open‐ended questions and semi‐structured interviews were analysed with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results Participants included 12 physician associates, 31 health professionals and 14 patients/relatives. Physician associates provide effective, safe and, importantly, continuity of care and patients received patient‐centred care. Integration into teams was variable, and there was a lack of knowledge about the physician associate role amongst staff and patients. Views towards physician associates were mostly positive, but support for physician associates differed across the three hospitals. Conclusion This study further consolidates the role of physician associates to multiprofessional teams and patient care and emphasises the importance of providing support to individuals and teams when integrating new professions. Interprofessional learning throughout healthcare careers can develop interprofessional working within multiprofessional teams. Impact Leaders in healthcare will see that clarity about the role of physician associates must be given to staff members and patients. Employers and team members will see the need to properly integrate new professions and team members within the workplace and to enhance professional identities. The research will also impact on educational establishments to provide more interprofessional training. Patient and Public Involvement There is no patient and public involvement.

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Physician assistants in the United States

Cited by 88 publications

References 10 publications

Can physician assistants be effective in the UK?

Can physician assistants be effective in the UK?

A new professional in the healthcare workforce: role, training, assessment and regulation

Patient care, integration and collaboration of physician associates in multiprofessional teams: A mixed methods study

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