Role of the PA in a prepaid medical care group

The Department of Physician Assistants at the LaGuardia Medical Group (Queens, New York) includes, besides Pas, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and nurse clinicians. The program of hiring these professionals began with the idea that the PA could, though in a limited way, be helpful to the physician in such a large group. It was soon recognized that not only were PAs functioning effectively in this capacity, but that the professional skills of the PA could be used for more advanced functions than were originally envisioned. The author stresses the importance of a strong organizational basis, effective self-rule, and rigid and persistent supervision of activities.