top of page
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute

Journal of Health and Medical Sciences

ISSN 2622-7258

Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.24.09 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.24.02 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.23.57 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 1.23.52 AM.png
crossref
doi
open access

Published: 19 June 2019

Patient Satisfaction with Care as Managed by the Physician Associate or the Doctor as Part of a Pilot Project in Ireland

Pauline Joyce

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

journal of social and political sciences
pdf download

Download Full-Text Pdf

doi

10.31014/aior.1994.02.02.40

Pages: 218-223

Keywords: Ireland, Out-Patients, Patient Satisfaction, Physician Associate

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine if patients, visiting a hospital outpatient’s clinic, were satisfied about the care delivered when a PA instead of a doctor is the provider. Methods: The study methodology was a descriptive quantitative approach using an eight-item survey and an option to include free text comments. Results: There was no difference in satisfaction levels between consultations with doctors or PAs, as part of a pilot project introducing the PA role. Conclusions: In Ireland, patients are just as satisfied with the care they received from PAs and doctors. Findings are consistent with findings in other countries where the PA role is embedded. In meeting the patient's needs, an important aspect of care given by both doctor and PA seems to be keeping the patient informed and behaving in a professional manner.

References

  1. Ballweg R & Hooker R (2017) Observations on the Global Spread of Physician Assistant Education, Journal of Physician Assistant Education 28(3S): S75–S80.

  2. Berg, G. M., Crowe, R. E., Nyberg, S., & Burdsal, C. (2012). Trauma patient satisfaction with physician assistants: Testing a structural equation model. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 25(5), 42-43, 49-52.

  3. Budzi D, Lurie S, Singh K, Hooker RS (2010) Veterans' perceptions of care by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians: a comparison from satisfaction surveys. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 22 (3): 170-176.

  4. Cipher DJ, Hooker RS, Sekscenski E (2006) Are older patients satisfied with physician assistants and nurse practitioners? Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 19 (1): 36-44.

  5. Counselman FL, Graffeo CA, Hill JT (2000) Patient satisfaction with Physician Assistants (PAs) in an ED fast track. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 16(6): 661-665.

  6. Dill, M. J., Pankow, S., Erikson, C., & Shipman, S. (2013). Survey shows consumers open to a greater role for physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Health Affairs, 32(6), 1135-1142.

  7. Freeborn DK, Hooker RS, Pope CR (2002) Satisfaction and Well-Being of Primary Care Providers in Managed Care. Evaluation and the Health Professions, 25: 239-254.

  8. Health Consumer Powerhouse (2016) Euro Health Consumer Index, 2015. Health Consumer Powerhouse, Marseillan, France.

  9. HIQA/HSE/Department of Health (2017) National patient experience survey. https://www.patientexperience.ie/  Assessed 25th May 2017.

  10. Hooker RS (2001) Patient attitudes about physician assistants. PA Source, 1 (6): 4-5.

  11. Hooker RS, Cipher DJ, Sekscenski E (2005) Patient satisfaction with Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, and Physician Care: a national survey of Medicare beneficiaries, Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management, 12(2): 88-92.

  12. Hooker RS, Potts R, Ray W (1997) Patient satisfaction: comparing physician assistants, nurse practitioners and physicians. The Permanente Journal, 1 (1): 38-42.

  13. Houses of the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare (2017) Sláintecare Report, Houses of the Oireachtas, Dublin.

  14. Johnson JR (2016) Patient Satisfaction with Care Provided By Physician Assistants in an Orthopedic Clinic. Ed.D. Dissertations. 101. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/edd_diss/101/ Accessed 4th May 2018.

  15. Joyce P, Arnett R, Hill A, Hooker RS (2018) Patient Willingness to be seen by a Physician Associate in Ireland. International Journal of Healthcare. 4(2): 41-50.

  16. Joyce P, Woodmansee D, Hooker RS, Hill ADK.(2019) Introducing the physician associate role in Ireland: Evaluation of a hospital-based pilot project. Journal of Hospital Administration. 8 (3):50-60.

  17. Kurtzman ET and Barnow BS (2017) A comparison of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and primary care physicians’ patterns of practice and quality of care in health centres. Medical Care, 55(6): 615-622.

  18. Levesque, J., Bogoch, E. R., Cooney, B., Johnston, B., & Wright, J. G. (2000). Improving patient satisfaction with time spent in an orthopedic outpatient clinic. Canadian Journal of Surgery, 43(6), 431-436.

  19. Meijer K, Kuilman L (2017) Patient satisfaction with PAs in the Netherlands. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 30 (5): 1-6.

  20. Pflipsen, J., McDermott, C., Doherty, E.M. et al. Irish Journal of Medical Science (2019). https://doi-org.proxy.library.rcsi.ie/10.1007/s11845-019-01976-y Accessed 4th June 2019.

  21. Roblin DW, Becker ER, Adams EK, Howard DH, Roberts MH (2004) Patient satisfaction with primary care: Does type of practitioner matter? Medical Care, (42(6): 579-590.

  22. Walsh A & Brugha R (2017) Ireland brain drain to brain gain: Ireland’s two-way flow of doctors. RCSI, Dublin. https://epubs.rcsi.ie/ephmrep/12/ Accessed 4th May 2019.

  23. Williams D and Thomas S (2017) The impact of austerity on the health workforce and the achievement of human resources for health policies in Ireland (2008-2014). Human Resources for Health, 15 (62): 1-8.

  24. World Health Organisation (WHO) (2012) User’s Guide to the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. WHO, Geneva.

bottom of page