Physician Associates (PAs)
Who are Physician Associates (PAs)?
Physician Associates are healthcare professionals who work in GP surgeries and various hospital departments. PAs collaborate with doctors to diagnose and treat patients and are supervised by senior GPs or Consultants. The level of supervision depends on the PAs experience and competency. Although PAs are accountable for their actions and decisions, they must have an access to a supervisor for consultation when needed. At Killick Street Health Centre, GP Partner Dr Polly Wootton is our PA trainer and supervisor. The surgery is an accredited learning environment, hosting medical students, GP trainees, and other doctors in training annually. Most GPs at the practice are experienced trainers in teaching, training, and supervision.
What tasks do PAs do?
PAs perform clinical duties such as taking medical histories, conducting physical examinations, managing chronic conditions, formulating differential diagnoses, and performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
They cannot independently prescribe medication or request ionising radiation (x-ray or CT scans), but they can request non-ionising radiation scans (ultrasound, MRIs) and medications to be reviewed and signed by an independent prescriber.
What training do PAs have?
In the UK, PAs undergo postgraduate training in Physician Associate studies for two years with at least 1,600 hours of theory and 1,600 hours of clinical practice. The intensive programme is based on the National Competence and Curriculum Framework for the PAs, covering medical sciences, pharmacology, clinical reasoning, and clinical placements. To practice in the UK, PAs must complete an accredited course and pass the Physician Associate National Examination (PANE). Prospective students should hold an undergraduate degree in a biomedical or health/life science field and have prior health or social care experience
Why do we need PAs?
The UK’s growing population and the increase in chronic diseases necessitate more medical health professionals. PAs are recruited to work alongside doctors to maintain a high level of care, supported by the government’s NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. There are approximately 3,200 qualified PAs in the UK, a profession that has been present since 2002.
Do PAs need registration to work in the UK?
As of 2024, the process for PAs to be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) is ongoing, with expected implementation by the end of the year. This regulation will potentially expand PAs’ scope of practice, including requesting ionising radiation and independent prescription rights.
Currently, UK-trained PAs adhere to national standards set by the Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians and may register with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR), which involves strict membership criteria and adherence to a code of conduct.
Global Presence of Physician Associates
The PA movement started in North America and Africa in the mid-1960s and has since spread globally. As of 2022, at least sixteen countries, including the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have PA-like medical workers under doctor supervision.