The physician associate role remains poorly understood

Responses to the avoidable death of a woman seen by a physician associate (PA)1 have emphasised how poorly understood the PA role remains, even among healthcare staff. PA training emphasises clear role introduction, and there is never an intention to deceive by posing as doctors.2 Despite being a PA with a PhD, I have never introduced myself as a doctor, to avoid confusion.2PA training is far beyond the “clinical skills” course that Salisbury suggests4: it’s two years’ postgraduate medical training after a relevant undergraduate degree. Working under supervision across primary and secondary care, PAs develop more autonomy with experience and clinical skills. The Faculty of Physician Associates publishes many guidance documents,3 so doctors should not be “unfamiliar with PA training and what competencies we should expect of them.”4PAs are non-rotational clinicians that can provide consistency. This is valued by specialist teams and enables PAs to develop advanced specific skills. Under…
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