Ophthalmology PAs in the Netherlands: A national survey.

PURPOSE: To describe the educational background, practiced clinical disciplines and procedures, efficacy, and responsibility distribution of Dutch physician assistants (PAs) working in ophthalmology.

METHODS

An online survey was sent to and collected from PAs working in ophthalmology and ophthalmologists collaborating with PAs.

RESULTS

Of 85 ophthalmology PA and 15 ophthalmologist recipients, 36 PAs and 9 ophthalmologists completed the survey. The mean age of respondents was 39 years (range, 27-54), and 23 (63.9%) were female. Most PAs (97%) had a Bachelor of Science in optometry or orthoptics. All PAs (N = 36) were involved in managing patients with common ophthalmic conditions. On average, PAs worked 32.6 hours (range, 23-36) per week and added on average 77 full-time equivalents to the Dutch ophthalmology workforce. Ophthalmologists collaborating with PAs assessed PA autonomy with a mean score of 3.9 (on a scale from 0 to 5, with 0 being a low level of autonomy and 5 being a high level of autonomy).

CONCLUSION

In the Netherlands, ophthalmology PAs may be considered a good partial solution for the shortage in eyecare professionals.