International journal of evidence-based healthcare
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Mar 2013
Review Meta AnalysisRecognition of the health assistant as a delegated clinical role and their inclusion in models of care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative evidence.
Assistants have been utilised worldwide in healthcare as a means to ensure the provision of adequate and efficient healthcare in the midst of increased pressures on health services for many years. This review aimed to synthesise available qualitative evidence regarding the appropriateness of strategies used to establish the health assistant role as a recognised delegated clinical role and to promote their inclusion in models of care. This review focused on how to make strategies appropriate for health assistants and professionals. Health assistants were defined as those who provide assistance and support to health professionals by whom they are directly or indirectly supervised in all healthcare and health education sectors. ⋯ Qualitative meta-synthesis was performed providing a unique perspective on the role of health assistants and strategies used to include them in models of care. These synthesised findings can be used to guide practice in healthcare organisations considering strategies for implementing the assistant role, or where assistants are currently utilised.