The involvement of physician assistants in inpatient care in hospitals in the Netherlands: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Objective To investigate the cost-effectiveness of substitution of inpatient care from medical doctors (MDs) to physician assistants (PAs). Design Cost-effectiveness analysis embedded within a multicentre, matched-controlled study. The traditional model in which only MDs are employed for inpatient care (MD model) was compared with a mixed model in which, besides MDs, PAs are also employed (PA/MD model). Setting 34 hospital wards across the Netherlands. Participants 2292 patients were followed from admission until 1 month after discharge. Patients receiving daycare, terminally ill patients and... Mehr ...