Changing faces within the perioperative workforce: New, advanced and extended roles

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Operating Department Practice
• Advanced Roles in Surgery

Background:

• Healthcare settings, including operating departments, are experiencing significant workforce diversification.
• Integration of new, advanced, and extended roles is a key trend impacting healthcare teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline historical and current developments influencing the operating department workforce.
• To focus on specific advanced roles and their professional requirements.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and current workforce trends in operating departments.
• Identification and description of key advanced roles and their associated requirements.

Main Results:

• Surgical Care Practitioner, Physician Associate, Anaesthesia Associates (formerly Physician Assistant in Anaesthesia), Surgical First Assistant, Assistant Theatre Practitioner, and Nursing Associates are key emerging roles.
• Details on professional regulators, education, training, qualifications, and continuing professional development for these roles are provided.

Conclusions:

• The operating department workforce is evolving with the introduction of specialized roles.
• Understanding the regulatory and educational frameworks for these new roles is crucial for workforce planning and development.