About physician assistants in general practice
They work alongside GPs to provide care to people, particularly those with long-term conditions who often benefit from being able to see the same healthcare professional.
PAs work under the supervision of a named senior doctor, but can work autonomously with appropriate support.
Why do we need Physician Assistants?
Due to a growing population, the advances in technology, better diagnosis, prevention and treatments, the NHS can sometimes struggle to cope. This is a new role to bring more talent, adding rather than taking away from existing members of the medical workforce and increased access for patient services and care.
What can PAs help with?
Physicians associates can help with lots of things including:
- arranging tests and analysing results
- performing physical examinations
- seeing patients with long-term chronic conditions
How are GPs benefitting?
Physician assistants can perform a valuable role as part of the extended primary care team. There is scope for them to take some pressure off GPs by performing some defined clinical tasks and providing patients, especially those with long-term conditions, the continuity of care they need.
How does the role of the physician associate differ from that of a GP?
A physician associate is a new healthcare professional who, whilst not a doctor, works to the medical model. They have the attitude, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general medical and/or general practice team under defined levels of supervision. Remember that they can no longer triage patients or treat patients with unclear or non-specific symptoms.
Update on the role of Physician Assistants
You may have recently seen media coverage regarding national changes to the role of Physician Associates who work in general practice, and the types of care they can provide.
Physician Associates are healthcare professionals who are trained to examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of doctors. Recently, the scope of their role has been changed so they are now formally referred to as Physician Assistants (PAs), and they can no longer triage patients or treat patients with unclear or non-specific symptoms.
We understand these recent changes may have raised some questions or concerns.
As a Primary Care Network (PCN)/across our GP practice, we are proud to have 1 highly trained and dedicated PA working across your GP surgeries.. During your appointment, they will introduce themselves as Physician Assistants.
We want to reassure you that our PAs are highly valued and respected members of our healthcare team. They have undergone rigorous training and continue to be fully supported and supervised by experienced GPs to ensure safe, high-quality care.
Our PAs have made a fantastic contribution to our team, and we are proud of the excellent patient care they provide. We kindly ask that all patients treat them with the same respect afforded to all members of our practice/PCN team.
We will continue to monitor and review national guidance surrounding the Physician Assistant role to make sure we are up to date with the most recent guidance.
If you do have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact the PCN Manager/practice manager at: mseicb-bb.basildoneastpcn@nhs.net
Qualifications for a PA
PAs must pass an intensive 2 -year university course at diploma or masters level to learn clinical knowledge and skills after completing a 3 -year biomedical or healthcare related degree.
They train in hospital and GP practices to gain knowledge, skills and experience about how to look after patients.
The Faculty of Physician Associates is part of the Royal College of Physicians. They set and run the PA national exam, check the education standards and maintain a register of qualified PAs.
PAs are required to show that they are keeping their knowledge and skills up to date and have to recertify every 6 years.
More information
For further information visit the Faculty of Physician Associates via the following link: www.rcplondon.ac.uk/physician-associates
Learn more about other healthcare roles that can support you by clicking on this link.