Physician Assistants: New Positions and Expanding Roles in U.S. Medical Care

There are now 20 operating programs for physician assistants in the United States (Kadish and Long, 1970). Many people agree that the physician assistant is a reality and will be a component of American medicine in the future. Acceptance of the physician assistant by the medical profession has been variable but a recent survey in Wisconsin reveals that, of the physicians surveyed, 61 percent believe that a physician assistant of some type is needed and 42 percent would use him in practice. There is, therefore, indication that the physician assistant will become and established member of the health practice team. The accompanying paper by Maurice Wood details the contributions made to his practice by a nurse physician assistant