Dr Zahra Ali is a junior doctor working in the NHS writing under a pseudonym - she has a passion for healthcare and journalism. 'The doctor will see you now' is an endangered phrase in the world of healthcare. Periled by staff shortages, the latest innovation of the NHS is the influx of alternative healthcare professionals.
These include physician associates (PA) and advanced clinical practitioners (ACP). There are, however, several flaws with this quick fix. Although it may result in patients being seen by 'someone from the medical team', there is a dark reality to plugging a staggering shortage of doctors in this manner.
A PA is a healthcare professional that works 'as part of a multidisciplinary team with supervision from a named senior doctor', similarly, an ACP has 'developed their skills and knowledge to take on expanded roles and scopes of patient care'. These definitions, however, do not reflect the reality of the situation. Both PAs and ACPs must undertake either a postgraduate diploma or master's degree before they qualify to assess patients.
In stark contrast, doctors undertake five years of rigorous, holistic training. Unsurprisingly, both PAs and ACPs are restricted by an inability to prescribe and request imaging. Although this policy may appear to be rational and reasonable, it is in actual fact obstructive.
It hinders and impedes a doctor’s ability to effectively carry out their clinical duties. The NHS is at breaking point and doctors working on the frontli.