The World Medical Association (WMA) has published its views on how nonphysician practitioners -- including physician associates, physician assistants, and anesthesia associates -- should offer healthcare services.
In the document, the WMA stressed the following:
- The terminology used for physician associates and anesthesia associates is "confusing," the WMA wrote. "These roles must be titled 'assistants' rather than 'associates' to make clear that they assist physicians."
- "Terms previously used for physicians, such as 'medical professionals' and 'medical practitioners,' should not be expanded to include physician associates and anesthesia associates, nor should they be described as being 'medically trained' or 'trained to the medical model,'" the association wrote.
- "Physician associates and anesthesia associates should work under the supervision of physicians and within clearly defined scopes of practice with clear limits and should undergo regular quality assurance and appraisal," the WMA said.
- Physician associates and anesthesia associates should assist rather than replace physicians.
- "The training of physician associates and anesthesia associates should not be prioritized at the expense of training for physicians and medical students, including the funding for such training," the association urged.
These recommendations should be adopted "in the interest of patient and clinician safety and to ensure broad clarity of understanding," the WMA concluded.
