Present Condition Analysis of Physician Assistant in Korea.
10.3346/jkms.2012.27.9.981
- Author:
Yong Hwa EOM
1
;
Gilbert Young Jin KIM
;
Sang Seol JUNG
;
Kil Yeon LEE
;
Sung Bum KANG
;
Ja Seong BAE
;
Hoon HUR
;
Yong Seong JANG
;
Hyuk Joon LEE
;
Dong Sup YOON
;
Wonshik HAN
;
In Kyu LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. cmcgslee@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Physician Assistants;
General Surgery
- MeSH:
Adult;
Female;
General Surgery;
Humans;
Job Description;
Male;
Physician Assistants/*statistics & numerical data;
Questionnaires;
Republic of Korea;
Task Performance and Analysis;
Workload
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2012;27(9):981-986
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study intended to identify the need for the legalization and development of a systematic program for physician assistants (PAs) by understanding the actual state of PA operation in hospitals. In 114 hospitals assigned as resident training hospitals for surgery, a survey was conducted on the personnel working as PAs in those hospitals; the survey included general personal information, working conditions, training time, and satisfaction. A total of 192 PAs in surgery at 35 hospitals responded to the survey. The types of PAs are Surgical Assistant, Clinical Physician Assistant, Wound Ostomy Care Nurse, Coordinator, and Clinical Research Coordinator. Types of work PAs preformed are surgical assistance, wound dressing, educating patients, overlooking consultation, doing paper works, writing operation records, and confirming examination results which were ordered. The satisfaction level for the position which PAs hold were 29.1% and and satisfaction level which doctors see towards PA was 15%. The role and the job descriptions of PAs are not clear cut, there are many discrepancies among hospitals we studied. As a result, legalization and the implementation of standardized role of PAs will lead to increase level of satisfactions in the work force and the quality of work which PAs perform will be greater.