Abstract
The National Health Service is undergoing financial challenges and a shortage of medical staff, prompting the development of new healthcare professional roles to ensure effective patient care delivery. One such role is the Physician Associate, a postgraduate who has completed an undergraduate degree followed by a two-year medical-model diploma, or Master of Science, in Physician Associate studies.Physician Associates are not yet statutorily regulated in the United Kingdom, but the General Medical Council is proposed as the regulator. I present three articles investigating the impact and perceptions of Physician Associates working in Emergency Departments in the United Kingdom.
Paper One reported that Physician Associates reduced Emergency Department wait times, shortened patient stays, and were seen as safe clinicians who allowed consultants to focus on critical patients.
Paper Two compared Physician Associates with Foundation Year 1 doctors in a Emergency Department in the United Kingdom, finding no significant differences in waiting times, patient departures without being seen, or re-attendance within 72 hours.
Paper Three included interviews with Emergency Department consultants and Physician Associates, along with surveys of doctors and patient questionnaires. Themes such as the fitness for purpose of Physician Associates, patient recognition, continuity of care, and future regulation emerged. Physician Associates were praised for their knowledge and skills, but concerns about their experience were noted. They also expressed a desire for career progression and better utilisation, with many patients mistaking them for doctors. Mixed views were expressed by Emergency Department consultants, junior doctors, and patients about Physician Associates in the Emergency Department.
The findings from these papers are anticipated to contribute to the future regulation of Physician Associates by the General Medical Council and the development of this professional group by the Royal Colleges and Faculties.
| Date of Award | 24 Sept 2024 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Suzannah Helps (Supervisor) & Sandy Walker (Supervisor) |
