GMC backtracks on describing PAs as “studying medicine” after protests

A fresh row has broken out between the regulator the General Medical Council and many doctors over how physician associates (PAs) are described. The GMC sent a message on the Facebook Messenger service on 17 July saying that PAs “study medicine” but not for as long a period as doctors.This message, which was copied and posted on X, prompted numerous replies from doctors demanding that it be retracted, as it was incorrect.The GMC subsequently issued a statement on 17 July saying, “Unfortunately this reply on our Facebook Messenger service isn’t correct. We don’t describe PAs as ‘studying medicine’ and we’re sorry for the confusion this has caused. We have information about what’s involved in the education and training of PAs on our website.”From December the GMC will become the regulator of PAs and anaesthesia associates (AAs) alongside doctors. The issue has already proved to be controversial, and last month the…
Read Original Article: GMC backtracks on describing PAs as “studying medicine” after protests »