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A recent independent review suggests that physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs), who provide support to doctors in GP practices and hospitals, should be referred to as “assistants” to prevent any confusion among patients. The review also proposes that PAs and AAs wear standardized attire and badges to differentiate them from doctors, and should not be involved in diagnosing patients. This review was initiated by Health Secretary Wes Streeting last year in response to a contentious debate regarding the roles and responsibilities of these healthcare positions.
Prof Gillian Leng, the author of the review, consulted with doctors, patients, and the public to gather feedback on the safety and effectiveness of PAs and AAs. The introduction of these roles in 2000 lacked a clear vision and national plan, leading to uncertainty about their purpose and scope within healthcare teams. The review noted instances where PAs, mistaken for qualified doctors, may have contributed to adverse outcomes in patient care. Families shared heartbreaking stories of misdiagnoses and delayed treatments, emphasizing the need for clearer distinctions between healthcare roles.
Recommendations from the review include renaming physician associates as “physician assistants,” emphasizing their supportive role in medical teams, and stipulating that they should not see new patients in primary or emergency care settings or make diagnoses. Anaesthesia associates are suggested to be named “physician assistants in anaesthesia” (PAAs), with both groups required to wear distinct identification and adhere to defined standards of practice. Patients should receive transparent information about PAs, and a governing body should set standards for their training and representation in healthcare settings.
Introduced in the early 2000s to alleviate physicians’ workloads, PAs and AAs in the NHS have faced scrutiny over their safety, responsibilities, and impact on junior doctors. Despite completing rigorous postgraduate training, concerns persist about the blurring lines between these roles and traditional medical positions. As the healthcare landscape evolves, the review underscores the need for clear guidelines and safeguards to ensure safe and effective teamwork within the NHS
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