09 January 2025
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has recommended that the Queensland Government conduct thorough consultations with medical experts before introducing physician assistants (PAs) into the state’s healthcare systems more widely.
PAs support doctors and other registered healthcare professionals in managing day-to-day tasks and have been introduced in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, to help alleviate the growing pressures on their respective healthcare systems.
A small number of PAs are also employed across Queensland and Queensland Health Director General David Rosengren is reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing in more PAs to further support the healthcare workforce.
RACP President Professor Jennifer Martin said that the Queensland Government must adequately consult medical experts, including physicians, before taking such a decision.
“Any changes to how the healthcare system operates in Queensland and across Australia must only be made after seeking proper advice and feedback from a broad range of healthcare professionals.
“The introduction of physician assistants would be a major change, and it is important to ensure that patient safety and current optimal patient flow, including communications and referral patterns in the health system, wouldn’t be compromised.
“Ensuring that PAs receive adequate training and are appropriately certified will be key to this.
“Further, the introduction of PAs may significantly impact how training for medical students and junior doctors is conducted and spreads the workforce that trains doctors even thinner.
“The RACP has long advocated for measures that will help ease the pressure on healthcare systems across Australia.
“However, the introduction of PAs widely would be a complicated process that may lead to disruptions without proper planning and consultation.
“Therefore, we strongly advise that all governments engage in a collaborative consultation process with key experts before making such a decision,” Prof. Martin said.