Physician associates (PAs) without medical training are learning “neurosurgery on the job” as royal medical colleges call “extraordinary” meetings over the use of the unregulated profession.
  • NataliePortland@lemmy.caEnglish
    223·
    9 months ago

    I don’t think any of this is very sensational. I’m in healthcare. We have PAs who regularly perform lumbar punctures like this. It’s not scandalous it’s routine. Your PA has lots of education and training, and these procedures, even minor amputations, are quite routine. They have lots of training alongside medical doctors, plus there will always be doctors available for assistance and support.

    I know it can be scary to have people “operating” on you but there are many layers to healthcare. These days the field of medicine has specialized so far from 50 years ago that now there are doctors, PAs, physicians, surgeons, Rads, MAs, etc. all have lots of education and experience to fit their unique position.

    • kromem@lemmy.worldEnglish
      51·
      9 months ago

      Yep, sent over to a neurologist I know for input who said for the things listed that seemed perfectly appropriate and that they’d personally prefer a PA who had done a simple procedure 100 times over someone like a sleep deprived surgery resident.

      Was very much not surprised or alarmed despite the article’s tone.