We read with interest the study by Jackson et al exploring the barriers and facilitators to integration of physician associates (PAs) into the general practice workforce.1 We have a similar interest given that the first cohort of PAs trained at Newcastle University will graduate in October 2018 and the Northeast of England has a well-known shortage of GPs. We have completed a pilot study of patients’ awareness and acceptance of PAs and PA consultations in two County Durham practices. Patients were asked to complete a short anonymous survey while waiting in the waiting room of the two practices. The survey included some information about the role and an opportunity for free-text comments, and there were 72 responders.
The results showed that 58% of patients had not heard of a PA, in spite of the fact that both practices had a PA student attached to the practice one day a week. Sixty-five per cent of responding patients were accepting of a PA consultation, 18% felt they would like to know more about the role first, 14% would rather wait for a nurse practitioner or GP appointment even if they had to wait longer, and 3% preferred to wait for a GP only. There were some caveats around appointment choice expressed in free-text comments, such as, ‘it would depend on my ailment’, but, in conclusion, results showed a general acceptance of PA consultations, in a population unfamiliar with the role.
Our pilot study indicates few barriers for physician associates in terms of patient agreement. However, we agree with Jackson and colleagues1 that there is much work to be done in addressing the many complexities around their integration and acceptance by primary care teams themselves.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2018
REFERENCE
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