RACGP
Australian Family Physician
Australian Family Physician

Advertising

Volume 38, Issue 8, August 2009

Medical assistants A primary care workforce solution?

Mark F Harris Abbe Anderson Judith G Proudfoot
Download article
Cite this article    BIBTEX    REFER    RIS

Background
A new medical assistant training program has been developed as an innovative solution to the workforce pressures facing general practice in Australia.
Objective
This article describes the development and implementation of the Australian medical assistant role and training program, and discusses key lessons learned in the 4 years after the first medical assistants were trained.
Discussion
Medical assistants are trained to carry out delegated administrative and clinical assisting duties specific to the ambulatory care environment. Lessons learned thus far from the introduction of this national qualification include the need to consult widely within the health care profession in the development of new roles, the imperative to bring together health and education sector expertise, the importance of flexible course delivery and the need for clearer role and boundaries definitions. The experience from the program implementation described in this article may help inform further primary care workforce development.

Download the PDF for the full article.


Download article PDF

Advertising

Australian Family Physician RACGP

Printed from Australian Family Physician - https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2009/august/medical-assistants
© The Australian College of General Practitioners www.racgp.org.au