Physician Associate

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Role Of Service

Physician Associates, whilst not doctors, are medically trained healthcare professionals who have undertaken a two-year postgraduate course in PA studies which encompasses theoretical learning in medical sciences, pharmacology and clinical reasoning, as well as clinical placement experience in a wide variety of settings.

Physician Associates work under the supervision of a doctor but can work autonomously with appropriate support. The role includes a range of day-to-day tasks with a focus on providing continuity of care for patients, particularly those with long-term conditions as a part of a multi-disciplinary team. Within the Weald our Physician Associate has strong links with care and nursing homes and frequently runs clinics in GP Practices.

The service includes:

• Supporting care home patients – new patient reviews and ward rounds including working with the PCN Clinical Pharmacy Team.
• Patient clinics in GP surgeries – the focus is on supporting the GP.
• taking medical histories from patients
• performing physical examinations
• diagnosing illnesses
• seeing patients with long-term chronic conditions
• performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• analysing test results
• developing management plans
• providing health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

Physician Associate team members