Purpose
This qualitative study aimed to identify the detailed job roles of physician assistants working in surgical departments of tertiary hospitals in Korea.
Methods
Data were collected via individual in-depth interviews and analyzed using a content analysis method. Participants were 19 physician assistants (PAs), each of whom had been working for more than one year in tertiary hospitals.
Results
Overall, 348 codes were extracted and clustered into 75 subcategories (job roles). Thereafter, 75 subcategories were classified into three categories (nursing roles, medical residents’ roles, and physicians’ roles). Among 75 PA job roles, 1 (1.3%) was a nursing role, 7 (9.3%) were nursing or medical residents’ roles, and 67 (89.4%) were physicians’ roles. Physicians’ roles were mostly surgery-associated functions performed in a variety of settings in numerous different ways.
Conclusion
Establishing educational systems, qualification standards, and payment systems for the PAs and legalizing their professional status are necessary.

Citations

• Role Conflict of Physician Assistants with Nursing Licenses in Korea
  Byeongkwan Kim, Wonhee Jung
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2024; 30(2): 141.     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to clearly classify the roles of Physician assistants and to identify obstacle factors and necessary factors for the operation of the system when they are performing the roles of Physician assistants. Methods: This is a descriptive research study to analyze the roles of Physician assistants and to understand the expected roles of Physician assistants according to each medical personnel (doctor, nurse, Physician assistants). Results: The obstacles to work are the lack of legal protection, and unclear work guidelines, and the matter necessary for the operation of the system is the legal protection. There were statistically significant differences in health collection ability, physical examination, drug response monitoring, and reporting in terms of the differences in role expectations considered by medical professionals regarding the roles of Physician assistants. Conclusion: Physician assistants need to develop various educational programs and materials, cultivate the ability to perform Physician assistants, and develop an advisory role through effective problem-solving between departments and increase the quality and satisfaction of Nursing care.

Citations

• Legislation of Medical Support Tasks in the Nursing Act as a Foundation for Nursing Professionalism and Role Expansion
  Su Jung Choi
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2025; 37(2): 69.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Patients and Their Families Receiving Medical Services Provided by Advanced Practice Nurses at Tertiary General Hospitals
  Mi-Kyeong Jeon, Su Jung Choi, Ji Eun Han, Eun Kyung Kwon, Jeong Hee Park, Jeong Hye Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2024; 54(4): 594.     CrossRef
• Legal and Practical Solutions for the Expanding the Roles of Medical Support Staff Nurses
  Su Jung Choi, Min Young Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2024; 54(3): 300.     CrossRef
• Reflections on the Prospects of Korean Advanced Practice Nurses : Based on Flexner’s Professional Characteristics
  Eun Mi Kim, Su Jung Choi
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2023; 16(3): 1.     CrossRef
• Development of Core Competency Scale for clinical nursing student educators
  Hyun Sook Park, Eun Hee Choi, Gyung Duck Kim, Young Hee Kim, Mi Yang Jeon, Hyenam Hwang
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2022; 28(4): 345.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the types of role perception of preceptors for new nurses. Methods: For this study the Q methodology was applied in which 36 Q samples were selected out of 210 Q population extracted from literatures and in-depth clinical interviews with preceptors, new nurses and nursing managers. P samples consisted of 30 nurses having experience as preceptors for new nurses. The Q samples were classified into a normal distribution frame measured with a nine-point scale. Data were analyzed using PQ Method program. Results: Four types of role perception were identified: (1) cleaning up regarding work, (2) guardians of clinical adaption, (3) on-the job educator, and (4) role model as a nurse. The ‘cleaning up regarding work’ type was most frequently used by the participants. Conclusion: The results showed that the preceptors felt strong responsibility in helping their preceptees to adapt successfully to a new job. The preception was reflected in four types of role perception. The negative role preception results in a great burden to preceptors. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a support system for preceptors to reduce negative role perception through the connection of preceptees appropriate to the role perception type of preceptors.

Citations

• Factors influencing perceived preceptor empathy and nursing practice readiness on field adaptation of new nurses in South Korea: a cross-sectional descriptive study
  Kyeungyeun Jang, Hanna Choi
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2025; 27(1): 94.     CrossRef
• Effects of Preceptors’ Clinical Teaching Behavior on the Field Adaptation of New Graduate Nurses: Mediating Effects of Self-Leadership and Resilience
  Eunjung Kim, Eungyung Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.2023; 29(5): 577.     CrossRef
• Content Analysis of Feedback Journals for New Nurses From Preceptor Nurses Using Text Network Analysis
  Shin Hye Ahn, Hye Won Jeong
  CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing.2023; 41(10): 780.     CrossRef
• Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the Effects of a Preceptor Reflective Practice Program: A Mixed-Method Research
  Heui-Seon Kim, Hye-Won Jeong, Deok Ju, Jung-A Lee, Shin-Hye Ahn
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(21): 13755.     CrossRef