‘What can you do then?’ Integrating new roles into healthcare teams: Regional experience with physician associates

In the context of NHS workforce shortages, providers are increasingly looking to new models of care, diversifying the workforce and introducing new roles such as physician associates (PAs) into clinical teams. The current study used qualitative methods to investigate how PAs are integrated into a workforce in a region largely unfamiliar with the profession. We conducted an observational study examining factors that facilitated and challenged PA integration.

Findings suggest that the factors influencing PA integration relate to attributes of the individual, interpersonal relationships and organisational elements. From these, five key considerations have been derived which may aid organisations when planning to integrate new roles into the clinical workforce: prior to introducing PAs organisations should consider how to fully inform current staff about the PA profession; how to define the role of the PA within teams including clinical supervision arrangements; investment in educational and career development support for PAs; communication of remuneration to existing staff and conveying an organisational vision of PAs within the future workforce. Through consideration of these areas, organisations can facilitate role integration, maximising the potential of the workforce to contribute to sustainable healthcare provision.