Medicine and Science from The BMJ cover image

Medicine and Science from The BMJ

The data on physician associates in the UK, and speaking up in the NHS

Mar 12, 2025
Trish Greenhalgh, a leading expert in primary care from Oxford, shares insights from her review on the effectiveness of physician associates in the NHS. Habib Naqvi highlights the ongoing impact of racism in healthcare and the vital need for reform to support ethnic minority patients and professionals. Katie Bramall-Stainer discusses the critical barriers that prevent NHS staff from speaking up, including hierarchical culture and psychological safety issues. Together, they explore solutions to enhance communication and equity in healthcare, making it safer for all.
47:02

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The recent review on physician associates in the UK highlighted a critical lack of empirical research on their safety and efficacy in practice.
  • Addressing systemic racism in healthcare through the NHS Race and Health Observatory is vital for improving health outcomes for all communities.

Deep dives

Research on Physician Associates

A recent rapid systematic review on physician associates and anaesthetic associates in the UK revealed substantial gaps in the existing literature. Most identified papers were not empirical research but rather opinions and editorials, with a significant portion of research conducted outside the UK. The review found a lack of studies assessing the performance and safety of these associates in real-world settings, particularly concerning safety incidents and potential harm. This absence of rigorous research raises concerns about the efficacy and safety of physician associates, especially since they undertake roles traditionally filled by more highly trained medical professionals.

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