It is over a century now since the importance of the knowledge and skills of the surgeon's assistant were first considered (Brickner 1907). More recently both the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE 1999, 2011) and the Perioperative Care Collaborative (PCC 2007) have reviewed the role of the non-medically qualified surgical assistant. In 2012, the PCC published their review of the surgical first assistant (SFA) role in response to a call by the RCSE for greater clarity in relation to the plethora of titles afforded to non-medical surgical assistants (RCSE 2011).
Association for Perioperative Practice2013a Surgical first assistant competency toolkitHarrogate, AfPP
2.
Association for Perioperative Practice2013b Voluntary code of conduct for registered practitionersHarrogate, AfPP
3.
BricknerW.M.1907The surgical assistant: A manual for students, practitioners, hospital internes and nursesNew York, International Journal of Surgery Co
WilliamsJ.L.1997Assistants in surgical practice: a discussion document. College and Faculty BulletinJournal of Royal College of Surgeons of England March 63–64
