Benefits and challenges of employing health care assistants in general practice: a qualitative study of GPs’ and practice nurses’ perspectives

摘要: Objectives. To explore the role of HCAs in general practice and benefits challenges associated with their employment. Methods. Semi-structured interviews were performed 6 GPs 13 nurses as part a larger qualitative study that also included HCAs. Interviewees from 16 practices two Primary Care Trusts West Midlands. Transcripts analyzed using thematic framework analysis. Results. seen valuable addition to primary care team. They reported accelerate, rather than extend services, allow more appropriate use nurses' skills enable cost containment. Their training supervision felt time intensive, demanding commitment. Patient safety was raised concern, although no specific experience it being compromised reported. Nurses recognized usefulness HCAs, helped make work, but often anxious about impact on own roles professional identity. Patients perceived generally neutral or positive. Conclusion. Cost-effectiveness, patient safety, quality care, potentially contested boundaries attitudes are among issues policy-makers, commissioners those responsible for workforce development need consider relation practice. There is in-depth evaluation this role.