Acceptance of the physician assistant by nonphysician health professionals in the Indian Health Service.

Abstract

A survey of 55 licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and pharmacists in the Indian Health Service was conducted to determine attitudes about the use of physician assistants (PAs). The results tend to support findings of similar studies reported in the literature, but performed in other settings. Overall the PAs appear to have gained general acceptance among nonphysician health professionals. There are significant differences between the responses of LPNs and RNs, with the latter perceiving more conflict with PAs and being less supportive of the emergence of the role. Separation of the responses of LPNs and RNs, at least in this setting, appears to be an important distinction in the analysis and understanding of staff acceptance. Pharmacists were generally approving of the skill levels the PAs demonstrated in areas related to pharmacy, and tended to be intermediate in their response rates relative to LPNs and RNs in overall acceptance of the PA role.