Physician associates

Wh0 are Physician Associates?

• Physician associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education, who work alongside doctors, physicians, GPs and surgeons.

• They provide medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. 

• Physician associates are dependent practitioners working with a dedicated supervisor, but are able to work autonomously with appropriate support.

What do Physician Associates do?

Physician associates work within a defined scope of practice and limits of competence. They:

• take medical histories from patients

• carry out physical examinations

• see patients with undifferentiated diagnoses

• see patients with long-term chronic conditions

• formulate differential diagnoses and management plans

• perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

• develop and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans

• request and interpret diagnostic studies (except those involving ionising radiation)

• provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

Physician Associate Students 

• As part of physician associate training, PA students also spend time on ward 107 and clinic C during a 2-4 week placement. 

• During this time the students are expected to attend a variety of sessions within the Respiratory department to further develop their clinical skills and knowledge.

Study to be a Physician Associate in Aberdeen

Faculty of Physician Associates