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Versions and Diversions of a Promising Concept

Clifford L. Carlson; Gary T. Athelstan, PhD

JAMA. 1970;214(10):1855-1861.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

The rapid and widespread expansion of training programs for physicians' assistants presents a striking phenomenon, especially in a profession noted for cautious restraint in accepting innovations affecting relationships with patients. In less than six years, 50 such programs have been set up under the auspices of medical schools, specialty bodies, medical societies, and other professional groups. At least an equal number are under development.

This proliferation of programs and the prominence given to physicians' assistants in both professional and popular publications, which contain repeated references to the 20,000 to 30,000 medical corpsmen who return to civilian life each year, could easily create the impression that assistants are, or soon will be, available to the medical profession in large numbers. In reality, only 200 physicians' assistants have so far been graduated.

The arrival of these supporting reinforcements on the front line of medical care delivery is occurring at a far slower . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
From the Educational and Occupational Research Division, Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, American Rehabilitation Foundation, Minneapolis.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 123 E Grant St, Minneapolis 55403 (Mr. Carlson).

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