Introducing physician associates to hospital patients v.1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Introducing physician associates to hospital patients: development and evaluation of an intervention to inform patients about the new role
IRAS ID
250885
Contact name
VM Drennan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kingston University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Physician associates (PAs) are an innovation in the NHS workforce, being introduced into different medical and surgical teams in many hospital trusts. They are medically trained professionals who work supervised by a doctor, providing medical care as part of the healthcare team. Patient and public involvement representatives have raised concerns about how patients will be informed about and understand this new role. There is low awareness and understanding of the role among hospital patients and many patients mistakenly view PAs as doctors.
The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate how best to inform hospital patients about the new PA role. It will be conducted in two stages in one NHS Hospital Trust, and will answer the questions:
1. What are the expectations and preferences of acute inpatients in relation to being informed about the new PA role and do they perceive any associated problems? [Stage One]
2. Can an intervention based on patients’ preferences be feasibly used to inform acute inpatients about the new PA role? [Stage Two]
3. How do patients in different acute inpatient settings experience the intervention, its acceptability and value? [Stage Two]
4. What facilitators and barriers, if any, do PAs experience in using the intervention and what do they learn about informing acute inpatients about their role as a result of the intervention? [Stage Two]
5. What are the underlying concepts of the intervention and how do they influence the responses of patients in different acute inpatient settings? [Stage Two]Qualitative methods will be employed. Individual semi-structured interviews will be sought among PAs and adult inpatients in the service in which a participating PA works. Telephone or face-to-face interviews of 30-40 minutes will be conducted with PA participants. Interviews of 30 minutes with patient participants will take place face-to-face within the hospital.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0304
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion