Manjit Kaur
Physician Associate
Physician Associates
Physician Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals who, while not a doctor, work to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general practice team under defined levels of supervision. Although PA’s are dependent practitioners, they can also practice independently and make independent decisions. This is enabled by collaboration and supportive working relationships with their clinical supervisors, meaning that there is always someone who can discuss cases, give advice and review patients if necessary.
They are able to:
- Take medical histories from patients
- Carry out physical examinations
- Manage and treat patients of all ages and make referrals
- Visit patients at home, nursing or residential homes
- Review and act on laboratory results
- Teach and supervise students
- Provide patient health promotion and disease prevention advice
- Help GPs with some admin tasks
They are trained and qualified to run their own clinical appointments but always work under the supervision of a GP.