title: The safety and efficacy of physician assistants as first assistant surgeons in cardiac surgery.
abstract: This study is a retrospective review of 956 patients comparing cases first-assisted by physician assistants (PAs) to those first-assisted by surgeons, examining whether PAs can function safely and efficiently in the role of first assistant surgeon for cardiac surgery. No differences were found between the two cohorts.
authors.affiliation: UC Davis Medical Center, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sacramento, California, USA.
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ranzenbach
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poa
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puig-Palomar
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holtzman
authors.forename: Shari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002983:Clinical Competence; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D024382:Professional Role; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000078329:Workforce