They have much less training than doctors (a two year course) and can only carry out a limited range of procedures, like physical examinations and taking medical histories from patients.
Patients who don't know they're physician associates may assume they have a level of knowledge and competence they don't actually have.
The husband of Susan Pollitt, who died in Oldham after a drain was wrongly left for too long in her body, said earlier this month that he didn't know the person treating her in hospital wasn't a doctor.
Emily Chesterton died after a physician associate at a GP surgery in north London - who she thought was a doctor - twice wrongly diagnosed the pain in her calf as due to a strain rather than a blood clot.
The Health Minister has now announced a review of physician associates and their role amid growing alarm in the medical profession over patient safety.
I must say I would be a bit wary of a physician associate attending to me (if I even knew that's what they were). They should at least have badges stating their role.
And surely they're not qualified to make diagnoses, which is a very advanced skill that even doctors can easily get wrong.
Yes, time for taking stock, I think.
Pic: So who do we have here? Physician associates? Doctors? Surgeons?
I think here they’re called Physicians Assistants, but I’ve never encountered one. I’m more likely to be treated by a Nurse Practitioner, who I’ve found to be more empathetic and thorough than an MD.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I gather nurse practitioners have six to eight years training, and are qualified to do a bigger range of procedures than physician associates.
DeleteThe government needs to overcome the BMA's refusal to train more real doctors which would help to stem the theft of doctors from overseas whose countries need them. Not a short term measure, but much needed. As for physician associates...would not touch one with a bargepole.
ReplyDeleteHelen: I didn't know the BMA were limiting the number of trainee doctors. As you say, we need to reduce the pilfering of doctors from overseas.
DeleteI see a nurse practitioner. As Bijoux said, they are much better listeners. They also have quite a bit of medical education.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Yes, they have much longer training. Personally I see a woman doctor who I'm very happy with.
DeleteI also like nurse practitioners for when my doctor is not available. We don't have physician associates here; having just read what you said I am glad about that.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Physician associates are probably okay if they're properly trained and supervised. But at the moment they seem to be not well supervised.
DeleteI see a Nurse Practitioner like others have said. She is great.
ReplyDeleteMary: It seems like your nurse practitioners are the equivalent of our doctors/GPs.
DeleteNurse practitioners have six or more years education, are examined yearly, are licensed in the US. Physician assistants have eight or more years education, are licensed, take yearly exams. They all wear identification, at least in Ohio. It seems your country needs more stringent licensing requirements.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: You're right, they do. I'm amazed at how loosely our PAs are regulated compared to those in the States.
DeleteI saw someone at my surgery who described herself as a Clinician - so not a GP. She failed to diagnose something really simple and led me to believe I had something more sinister. Be careful out there!
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: I gather physician assistants in the States not only have to identify themselves but also introduce themselves to patients.
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