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Examples of potential (or current) task substitutions |
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| Task* |
Traditional professional |
Substitute professional/assistant |
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| Anaesthesia |
Anaesthetist |
Nurse anaesthetist |
| Clerking of new hospital patients |
Hospital medical officer |
Nurse |
| Closure of wound |
Surgeon |
Nurse |
| Foot care |
Podiatrist |
Foot care assistant |
| Foot surgery |
Orthopaedic surgeon |
Podiatric surgeon |
| Laryngoscopy/Naso-endoscopy |
ENT surgeon |
Speech pathologist/Nurse |
| Maternity care |
Obstetrician |
Midwife or GP |
| Mobilisation assistance |
Physiotherapist |
Physiotherapy assistant |
| Patient management |
Medical practitioner |
Nurse practitioner |
| Plain X-ray |
Medical imaging technologist |
X-ray assistant |
| Refraction |
Optometrist |
Orthoptist |
| Reporting pathology |
Pathologist |
Scientist |
| Reporting X-rays |
Radiologist |
Medical imaging technologist |
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* Performance of the substituted tasks will generally require additional training and clear protocols, and will also depend on the complexity of the condition and the comorbities of the patient | ||
Duckett Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2005 2:14 doi:10.1186/1743-8462-2-14 |
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