우리나라 PA(Physician Assistant)의 역할모델개발을 위한 연구

Abstract

This study was pursued to identify the practice status of PA(Physician Assistant) in hospitals and to develope a role model for PA in Korea. Method: Subjects were 59 nurses working titled either as a PA or a clinical nurse specialist in the hospitals. The instruments used in this study were work activity checklists including the questions on education and job satisfaction. In addition, 10 of the subjects were interviewed to collect their lived experiences. Data were collected from December, 2005 to January, 2006 and analyzed by using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Result: The activities that were most frequently implemented included reading of test results, consultation, education of the patients and their families, history taking, wound dressing, coordination of treatment plans and triage. In specific, prescribing medications and tests were most frequently performed activities in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. From content analysis, the subjects concerned much about their unclear identities and job securities, a lack of unified job description, conflicts with the residents, and unsatisfactory compensations. Conclusion: It is needed to integrate the role of PAs and that of advanced practice nurses (APN) to prevent the confusion and each role posses, and to reform their educational preparations and roles reflecting the needs of the current health care systems in Korea.