Implementation plan for a midlevel medical worker for South Africa. A discussion paper : open forum

Extracted from text ... SA Fam Pract 2004;46(2) 5 Summary The midlevel medical worker is a new category of health worker for South Africa. Staff shortage, changes in medical education and experiences in other countries are explained as reasons for the decision. This worker will function as an assistant for the doctor in the district hospital. He or she will work in a team and under supervision of the medical doctor and do clinical tasks in the hospital that include patient consultations, counselling, assistance and procedures. Training of the midlevel medical worker will be in medical schools as part of family medicine training complexes. ..