Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine if patients, visiting a hospital outpatient’s clinic, were satisfied about the care delivered when a PA instead of a doctor is the provider. Methods: The study methodology was a descriptive quantitative approach using an eight-item survey and an option to include free text comments. Results: There was no difference in satisfaction levels between consultations with doctors or PAs, as part of a pilot project introducing the PA role. Conclusions: In Ireland, patients are just as satisfied with the care they received from PAs and doctors. Findings are consistent with findings in other countries where the PA role is embedded. In meeting the patient's needs, an important aspect of care given by both doctor and PA seems to be keeping the patient informed and behaving in a professional manner.
Highlights
Healthcare in Ireland has a two-tiered system of public and private services
Numerous studies (Hooker et al, 1997; Counselman et al, 2000; Hooker, 2001; Freeborn et al, 2002; Roblin et al, 2004; Hooker et al, 2005; Cipher et al, 2006; Budzi et al, 2010; Berg et al, 2012; Dill et al, 2013; Johnson, 2016; Kurtzman & Barnow, 2017; Meijer & Kuilman, 2017) have found that care given by the Physician Associate/Assistant (PA) is at the level of that given by doctors with high levels of satisfaction
This study found similarities with previous studies in that, once patients' needs are met and in particular, that they are communicated with, and informed of their health status, they are satisfied
Summary
Healthcare in Ireland has a two-tiered system of public and private services. The government-funded public hospitals are owned and run by the Health Service Executive (HSE) or are voluntary public hospitals, which may be privately operated but funded by the government. During the Irish recession, it is suggested that resources were not well deployed and cost savings were, ‘false economies' (Williams & Thomas, 2017). According to these authors, the claimed financial savings was offset substantially by overtime payments, and the need to rely on more expensive agency workers. While a key focus in many countries during the time of austerity was to move away from a reliance on doctors in primary care, Williams & Thomas (2017) suggest that this was not a policy focus for Ireland.
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