New Profession Would Ease Medical Shortages

Changing demographics and work patterns are creating an increasing demand for a new flexible medical workforce, the academics said.

Professor William Doe, Dean of Medicine at the University of Birmingham, describes the process occurring in the UK to develop a new health care professional — the medical care practitioner (MCP) — to meet those changing needs.

The move follows the success of the US equivalent "physician assistants", described as "health care professionals licensed to practise medicine with physician supervision", who have been recruited to work in primary care in the UK.

Professor Doe says introducing MCPs would increase medical capacity and improve stability and flexibility in the medical workforce, without reducing the number of nurses.

MCPs would reduce job stress for the existing general practice workforce - thereby helping to limit staff turnover - without compromising quality of care, he added.

"There is now preliminary evidence to suggest that introducing the MCP role … may make a valuable contribution to clinical care," Prof Doe said.

However, he cautioned that clear standards should be set for this new profession, along with a rigorous national assessment system.

MCPs could be a valid solution for medical workforce shortages in Australia and the UK, according to Professor David Weller of the University of Edinburgh, in an accompanying editorial, also published in the latest issue of the MJA.

However he said that future demand for doctors is being met in part by an increase in medical student numbers, both in Australia and the UK.

"While examining the potential of new kinds of health care providers, we should exercise caution before committing significant resources, and ensure we preserve the elements of our health care systems that work well," Prof Weller said.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.