The Times Australia
Health

.

What are physician assistants? Can they fix the doctor shortage?

  • Written by Lisa Nissen, HERA Program Director - Health Workforce Optimisation Centre for the Business & Economics of Health, The University of Queensland

If you’ve tried to get an appointment to see a GP or specialist recently, you will likely have felt the impact of Australia’s doctor shortages[1].

To alleviate workforce shortages, the Queensland government is considering introducing[2] health workers called physician assistants more widely to the state’s health system.

But the medical body representing physicians, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, has warned thorough consultation with medical experts is needed[3] first.

So what exactly are physician assistants? And are they the solution to our workforce issues we’ve been looking for? Let’s look at what the evidence says – and the lessons from abroad.

What is a physician assistant?

Physician assistants, also known as physician associates, are trained health professionals who work under the supervision of a doctor. They undertake a variety of tasks including[4]:

  • examining patients
  • ordering and interpreting blood tests
  • assisting in surgery
  • prescribing medicines.

In general practice, physician assistants may also provide preventative health care[5] such as giving vaccinations and providing health advice.

Physician assistants commonly complete postgraduate-level university education and a hands-on training program. They may also need to have completed a health-based undergraduate degree.

In most countries, physician assistants work under a “delegation” model. This means the treating doctor and physician assistant together determine the tasks the physician assistant can undertake, depending on their competence. As their skills and knowledge increase, the level of supervision changes accordingly.

When were they first used?

Similar roles have been used throughout history, including in the military. As early as the 1800s, trained assistants known as feldshers (or feldschers) provided basic medical care during times of war, for example in Russia[6], Bulgaria[7] and Poland[8].

The contemporary physician assistant role evolved in the 1960s in the United States. It was initially designed to use the skills of medically trained military servicemen[9].

Military uniform and stethoscope
The first physician assistants were military servicemen. Andy Gin/Shutterstock[10]

Since then, it has become an accepted and well established part of the health care team in the US, where the medical profession supports[11] the physician assistant role and contributes to its regulation.

There are currently more than 178,000 physician assistants[12] practising in the US, across a wide range of settings. Around one-quarter work in family/general medicine[13] and one-fifth in rural and medically under-served areas.

Physician assistants can be found in many countries, including Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.

Australia previously trialled physician assistant in two states, Queensland[14] and South Australia[15]. Like other countries, the role was found to be effective and acceptable.

What does the research say about their use?

Most research about physician assistants originates from the US. Studies spanning several decades show physician assistants provide safe and appropriate care. They can competently undertake consultations[16], perform complex procedures[17], provide preventative health care[18], treat non-complex patients in the emergency department[19] and provide a wide range of services in rural areas[20].

Most studies have reported patient satisfaction[21] with the physician assistant role.

Research has found it’s cost-effective[22] to use physician assistants, including for complex[23] patients.

Physician assistants can improve the continuity of patient care[24] in hospitals, as they remain with their supervising doctor rather than moving between hospital areas as trainee doctors do. This enables them to maintain consistent contact with patients, their families and other members of the health-care team.

Using physician assistants in emergency departments enables doctors to review more complex patients[25].

In surgery[26], physician assistants can reduce the workload on resident doctors. They can prepare patients for surgery, review them afterwards and perform some surgical procedures. They can also reduce[27] the time patients stay in hospital.

Physician assistants can also provide care in rural and remote areas[28] and have worked[29] with Aboriginal health workers[30] in remote areas of Australia.

What do Australian policymakers need to consider?

Like many other countries, the Australian health workforce is under pressure. Recent reviews have highlighted the need to examine how the health system[31] and workforce[32] can more effectively meet the needs of the community. This includes making better use of all current health professions by enabling them to perform the tasks they have been trained to do.

Health professionals must ensure their care keeps patients safe and aligns with public expectations. This relies on appropriate education and training, funding and payment policies, governance and regulation. Effective regulation ensures health professionals are held accountable for their practice, according to defined professional practice expectations.

Despite physician assistants being trialled in Queensland and SA, the role did not gain the support of the medical profession. As a result, only a small number of physician assistants are currently practising. And Australia no longer provides education programs for physician assistants.

Several factors affected the acceptance of the physician assistant role.

Their skills and competence weren’t widely understood or recognised. This meant their scope of practice was poorly defined, which may have been confusing for both patients and health professionals.

The profession was also unable to access Medicare rebates or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies for patient consultations or scripts. This limited their full involvement in some health services such as general practice.

What could we do better?

Australia needs to learn from the available evidence when considering a possible role for physician assistants.

In the US and Canada, for example, a close relationship between the medical and physician assistant professions has provided guidance and support for the role, and ensured physician assistants are accountable for their practice, through the development of “expected standards” of practice.

As demand for health services increases, it makes sense to explore the addition of physician assistants to Australia’s health-care workforce, if safety and quality can be assured, and health care teams function optimally.

References

  1. ^ Australia’s doctor shortages (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ considering introducing (www.medicalrepublic.com.au)
  3. ^ thorough consultation with medical experts is needed (www.racp.edu.au)
  4. ^ including (capa-acam.ca)
  5. ^ preventative health care (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  6. ^ Russia (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  7. ^ Bulgaria (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. ^ Poland (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ skills of medically trained military servicemen (www.aapa.org)
  10. ^ Andy Gin/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  11. ^ medical profession supports (www.aapa.org)
  12. ^ more than 178,000 physician assistants (www.aapa.org)
  13. ^ one-quarter work in family/general medicine (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  14. ^ Queensland (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  15. ^ South Australia (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  16. ^ consultations (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  17. ^ procedures (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  18. ^ preventative health care (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  19. ^ emergency department (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  20. ^ rural areas (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  21. ^ satisfaction (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  22. ^ cost-effective (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  23. ^ complex (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  24. ^ continuity of patient care (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  25. ^ review more complex patients (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  26. ^ surgery (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  27. ^ reduce (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  28. ^ rural and remote areas (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  29. ^ worked (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  30. ^ Aboriginal health workers (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  31. ^ examine how the health system (www.health.gov.au)
  32. ^ workforce (www.health.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/what-are-physician-assistants-can-they-fix-the-doctor-shortage-247560

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...