Become a Physician Associate

Becoming a PA or a doctor is an exciting career choice. Both involve a lot of hard work, and PA programmes are becoming increasingly competitive to gain entry to. This decision is tough and it comes down to what you value in a career. Becoming a PA is a shorter route than a doctor, but involves an extremely intense education given the responsibility that is held once qualified. Therefore PA can be a great career for someone who wants to deliver medical care to patients but would prefer a shorter training route and perhaps a more flexible work\life balance when working.

PAs are also designed to be flexible generalists, this means you can choose the area you work in. You could work in emergency medicine for a few years then move to surgery then to obstetrics & gynaecology. Doctors are training to become specialists in an area they have chosen. Ultimately, consultants and GPs supervise PAs and trainee doctors. PAs can gain specialist skills and roles such as: assisting in theatre, running minor operation lists in GP, delivering outpatient appointments, teaching PAs and junior doctors, etc. This all depends on the area worked in, experience of the PA in that area and agreement with their supervisor. This control over your development as a PA and its potential is exciting. Choosing either role can be difficult, particularly as PA is still in its infancy with constant development. There are lots of myths and inaccuracies around the PA role, so speaking to or shadowing a PA will give the best insight into deciding if PA is for you.

A Physician Associate (PA) is educated through either a 4 year intercalated MPAS undergraduate programme or a 2 year masters programme after an undergraduate degree. This means PAs do not go to medical school to become doctors. PAs diagnose, investigate and manage patients in a role of their own right. They do this under the supervision of a consultant or GP (similar to a doctor in training), however PAs do not rotate placements of training- they offer continuity of care and stability to the medical team. This means they can support junior doctors who are gaining specialist training. PAs do not replace doctors, but are there to enhance the delivery of medical care. PAs may develop specialist skills or have more autonomy with experience, but are expected to maintain a generalist knowledge also.

A Physician Associate (PA) typically starts on a Band 7 pay scale (currently £38,890). However some PA internships for newly qualified PAs start on a band 6 and may involve rotations. PAs are able to progress to a Band 8 or further pay increases with experience; management, education and research roles in addition to clinical responsibilities are examples of how this occurs.

Physician Associates cannot currently prescribe medications in the UK due to the law. PAs are educated and trained to recommend prescriptions and medications after they have assessed patients and diagnosed a condition indicating medication. Prescriptions are then usually signed/written by a prescriber. This law will likely change when the GMC register for PAs commences (currently planned end of 2021) and the law changed. This constant development of the PA roles makes it an exciting time to join the profession.