Physician Assistant
Extending roles and developing new scopes of practice for health professionals is integral to the development of health services and to ensuring we have the specialist skills we need in the workforce.
HWNZ in collaboration with the Northern Region DHBs (Northland, Waitemata, Auckland and Counties Manukau) and partnered by The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences has established a demonstration site for the role of physician assistant (PA) at Counties Manukau DHB.
PAs are trained in a clinical role that complements both nursing and medicine, and are an established part of the US health system. Following a lengthy selection process, the two PAs appointed to spearhead the role at Middlemore are Stethanie Jacobs, who has specialised in transplant medicine, and Kristan Wheeler who has worked primarily in surgery and internal medicine.
The PAs are working under the supervision of a senior doctor who remains responsible for the care of their patients and approves their scope of practice. Typical tasks include taking patient histories, undertaking physical examinations, developing treatment plans and ordering lab tests and X-rays.
Research has shown that they can free up the time of junior doctors and that patient satisfaction with the role is high. It is now also being piloted in Australia and the UK.
The CMDHB demonstration will run for a year and will be fully evaluated to assess whether it can benefit the New Zealand health sector.
For more information about the project see:
We also welcome your feedback so please contact us with any comments.
Physician Assistant (PA)
"It’s very multicultural here at Middlemore, and everyone seems very grateful for the care they’re receiving." - Kristan Wheeler, PA