Physician Associates are known for their versatility and adaptability, working across various healthcare environments.
The inclusion of PAs has been pivotal to the UK healthcare system for over two decades, particularly in NHS England’s Medical Associate Professions workforce grouping. They work in a variety of clinical settings including GP surgeries, inpatient wards, accident and emergency departments, and medical assessment units. This diverse exposure and generalist training equips them to handle a range of medical situations and patient care needs.
PAs are dependent practitioners, meaning they must work with a dedicated medical supervisor, but are able to work autonomously with appropriate support. These collaborative and supportive working relationships mean there is always a registered doctor who can discuss cases, give advice and attend to patients if necessary. In this way, physician associates increase the size and versatility of the medical workforce and crucially enhance access to quality care for patients.
