Study of the feasibility of using a doctor's assistant in rural areas

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: In this study, a program for the use of a doctor's assistant in rural areas was outlined. It was proposed that this assistant position would be filled by a man who had received training and had worked as an independent duty medical technician in the Armed Forces. Information about this individual's specific medical capabilities was obtained through the use of a questionnaire completed by training personnel at Sheppard Air Force Base. Another questionnaire was used to compare the opinions of doctors and independent duty technicians on the corpsman's ability to perform 48 medical tasks at varying degrees of independence. The capabilities of the medical technician, plus the expected population usage were used to determine the size and type of facilities and equipment necessary to provide medical service to a community. The cost of this equipment and the related services were compared to the expected patient workload at a specific fee to determine the feasibility of the program.

Findings and Conclusions: The results of the survey from Sheppard Air Force Base supported the assumption that the independent duty technician was able to diagnose and treat a number of the more common medical disorders with a minimum of supervision. The doctors and corpsmen surveyed in the sample were found to have similar perceptions about the degree of independence with which the independent duty technician could perform the tasks listed. Analysis of the anticipated costs and expected revenues of the program showed that, initially, it would not be financially feasible. The problem arose from the high risk involved for the supervising doctor and the payment necessary to offset this risk.