PAs--consumer advocates or adversaries?

Changes in America's health care delivery system require patients to participate more actively in decisions that affect their well-being. PAs should not discourage this trend; instead, they should help the health care consumer to become a partner in the health care decision-making process, and use their mid-level practitioner status to become consumer advocates within the system. This position requires a commitment to educate patients about the risks, benefits, and costs of care, as well as the available alternatives. In addition, PAs should strive to become information sources about the cost and distribution of services.