Are Physician Associates Less-defined Force Multipliers? Comparative Role Definition of Physician Associates within the Hierarchy of Medical Professionals

Physician associates in primary care.

I am delighted to see this subject taking a prominent position in discussions on human resources for the NHS and in particular in primary care. It was back in 1981 that Ian FM Saint-Yves and I wrote about this subject.1–3 However at that time the reaction from the profession was mainly derided and considered unnecessary. I hope the observational studies continue to show GPs how effective this a...

The role of physician in ethnopharmacological investigations

The essence of ethnopharmacology is interdisciplinary research that usually involves traditional healers, botanists, chemists and pharmacologists. The role of researchers from pertaining disciplines is well defined in ethnopharmacological investigations. However, the exact role of a physician has not yet been distinctly clear in ethnopharmacological investigations. Historical data shows that di...

The role of physician in ethnopharmacological investigations

The essence of ethnopharmacology is interdisciplinary research that usually involves traditional healers, botanists, chemists and pharmacologists. The role of researchers from pertaining disciplines is well defined in ethnopharmacological investigations. However, the exact role of a physician has not yet been distinctly clear in ethnopharmacological investigations. Historical data shows that di...

Physician associates and GPs in primary care: a comparison

BACKGROUND Physician associates [PAs] (also known as physician assistants) are new to the NHS and there is little evidence concerning their contribution in general practice. AIM This study aimed to compare outcomes and costs of same-day requested consultations by PAs with those of GPs. DESIGN AND SETTING An observational study of 2086 patient records presenting at same-day appointments in 1...

Comments on American Medical Association-sponsored Critique of Charles River Associates Study on Physician Antitrust Waivers