How physician associates are helping doctors, not replacing them | Letters

Dr Rubin Minhas and Dr Tim Lavin respond to an article by Dr Rachel Clarke on concerns about the role of these healthcare professionalsI don’t recognise the challenges posed by the introduction of physician associates (PAs) in the same way as Dr Rachel Clarke does (What if your ‘physician’ wasn’t actually a doctor at all? Beware this new reckless experiment, 20 June). Introducing a new cohort of healthcare professionals is a tremendous responsibility, and local experience indicates that the capability to manage its implementation is often poor.Our practice will soon employ four PAs, including two who left other practices where they were all but left to fend for themselves. One recounts how, on her first day in her first job, she was assigned a fully booked clinic with no induction, training or guidance, and made to feel a nuisance when seeking help. This is not uncommon. Continue reading...