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PAs in psychiatry: filling the gap
Physician Assistant (American Academy of Physician Assistants)
|May 10, 1984
Summary
Psychiatry faces specialist shortages. Utilizing Physician Assistants (PAs) in state mental hospitals improved psychiatrist treatment planning time, allowing facilities to remain operational and demonstrating PAs
Area of Science:
- Medical Sciences
- Psychiatry
- Healthcare Administration
Background:
- Psychiatry faces critical shortages of trained specialists.
- State mental hospitals experience high patient-to-psychiatrist ratios compared to private facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the utilization of Physician Assistants (PAs) in a state mental hospital.
- To describe the clinical role of PAs in this setting.
Main Methods:
- Case study of PA integration in a state mental hospital.
- Description of the clinical responsibilities and impact of PAs.
Main Results:
- The integration of PAs significantly increased psychiatrists' time for treatment planning and implementation.
- This support enabled the state mental hospital to continue its operations.
- Other clinical disciplines demonstrated high acceptance of PAs.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatry is a promising field for the current and future employment of Physician Assistants.
- PAs can effectively address workforce shortages and improve patient care in psychiatric settings.