In TIME, Surgeon Slights PAs
In an article posted today, orthopedic surgeon and TIME Magazine writer Scott Haig discusses the nation's shortage of surgical assistants--and slights PAs as overly expensive and potentially inadequate "alternatives" to a surgical resident or fellow.
In "The Case of the Missing Assistant Surgeon," Haig notes that surgery has become as unattractive to new doctors as primary care, thus resulting in a shortage whereby hospitals have "resorted to" hiring PAs:
Many programs have resorted to hiring physician assistants (PAs) - they're like surgical residents who never graduate - to provide support when no residents are available to cover the cases. PAs can be a truly great help, but they don't have the mind-set of a doctor who stands - or will soon stand - in the lead position. When there's trouble, that mind-set is invaluable. And in surgery, sometimes there is trouble.
Later in the article, Haig claims that PAs are often too expensive and hospitals lack the funds to cover shortages:
Hospitals that are flush can hire PAs to assist; the one where I work does. But most can't afford the hefty expense of PAs. Even the hospitals that have the funds don't have enough to hire PAs for every case. So I often end up begging older colleagues or a surgeon waiting for the start of his own case for a "freebie"; I'm playing on goodwill, friendship or the promise of his eventually getting a paying case.
Read the full article here.
Surgical PAs: Dr. Haig seems to harbor a degree of distrust for the PAs he and other surgeons work with. Do you or have you felt this sort of tension from physicians you've worked with?