Physician Associate Role in Primary Care
Many routine conditions can be directed to the Physician Associate (PA) which frees up GPs to deal with more complex and multi-morbidity patients.
Many routine conditions can be directed to the Physician Associate (PA) which frees up GPs to deal with more complex and multi-morbidity patients.
PAs can broaden the capacity of the GP role and skill mix within the practice team to help address the needs of patients.
PAs can provide continuity of care for patients with long term conditions.
PAs have a flexible role which can lead to opportunities for training to develop specialist care.
Some of the skills that the Physician Associate will be able to demonstrate safely are:
Due to the lack of statutory regulation, PAs cannot currently prescribe medications or request ionising radiation.
It is best practice in the UK for Physician Associates to have Professional Indemnity (Malpractice) insurance. Currently, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) & Medical Defence Union (MDU) will provide professional indemnity for PAs working in General Practice. The cost of this coverage is usually paid for by the employer.
In general practice, a PA’s salary can be negotiated, although there is a suggested range:
This is for a 37.5 – 40 hour working week, and would include out of hours and weekend.
