Surgeons have criticized a trust for using non-doctors like surgical care practitioners to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomies, but research shows that those with experience and dexterity can perform well in selected patients. Doctors have complained of insufficient numbers, but the rise of non-doctors in healthcare may offer a cheaper alternative. The unique selling point of doctors may be their broad medical knowledge, but specialization has made expertise more narrow. A new career structure could allow doctors and non-doctors to function as trained clinicians in their field, with expert clinicians providing support as needed. This approach could potentially reduce waiting lists and be well-received by management.
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Care practitioners performing surgery: time to develop a different career structure
