Physician associate prescribing: perspectives, practices and pathways.

With the introduction of statutory regulation of physician associates (PAs) through the General Medical Council (GMC) expected in 2024, we anticipate a consultation on whether PAs will be given prescribing rights and how this will happen. In anticipation of this consultation, we surveyed the opinions of PAs and healthcare professionals (HCPs) who work with them regarding prescribing rights for PAs. We had a combined response of more than 500 and the survey results show that the vast majority of respondents across the two groups are in favour of prescribing rights for PAs. While both HCPs and PAs overall feel that PAs should have prescribing rights, PAs prefer generalised rights while HCPs recommend specialist rights only. To ensure safe prescribing, we advocate for a safety assessment followed by a period of supervision in their specialty before prescribing rights are given: our data show that confidence, knowledge and safety increases with length of time in specialty. Prescribing rights for PAs will help them become more independent and valuable assets to the healthcare team, increasing efficiency and improving patient care.

Preparing physician associates to prescribe: evidence, educational frameworks and pathways.

There are approximately 2,850 physician associates (PAs) in the UK, and this number is growing. PAs are unable to prescribe due to an absence of statutory regulation and necessary prescribing legislation. While PAs cannot prescribe, they must have an adequate level of pharmacology knowledge to safely manage patients. There is an expectation that this is taught as part of the core syllabus on PA programmes. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently announced the introduction of statutory regulation of Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs) that include PAs under the General Medical Council. With the introduction of regulation, PAs may be able to prescribe as part of their role. A working group is considering how this might be achieved in terms of education and supervision requirements, delivery of the training and scope of practice. This paper explores the current approach to delivering pharmacology across UK PA programmes. We evaluate what constitutes acceptable training and assessment, and determine if programmes have the capacity to prepare students for prescribing rights. We compare UK PA programmes with those in the USA, with the V300 Independent/Supplementary Prescribing course and with the Prescribing Safety Assessment examination.

Physician associate graduates in England: a cross-sectional survey of work careers.

Physician associates (PAs) are a new healthcare professional group in the UK. While PAs have been known as a stable but flexible workforce in the USA for over 50 years, little is known about their career paths in the UK's NHS. A cross sectional online survey (January 2020 - May 2020) of graduates from the longest running UK PA course investigated stability and factors influencing job retention or movement. One-hundred and sixty-two (71%) graduates provided a full response. Descriptive analysis was by early graduates (2006-2013), mid-graduates (2014-2017) and recent graduates (2018-2020). Early and mid-graduates held their first jobs for a mean of 3 years. For early graduates, the longest held job was 11 years, with a mode of 7 years. Enjoyment of the work, learning opportunities and working with supportive consultants were the most highly rated factors in PA job retention.

Physician associates in the UK: Development, status, and future.

ABSTRACT: Physician associates (PAs) have been part of the UK health workforce for almost 20 years. The profession is growing rapidly with statutory regulation, protection of the title, and career progression supported by a national-level framework all in the pipeline for the near future. This article provides a brief history of the profession in the United Kingdom and prospects for its future.

Pharmacology for physician associate programmes: a collaborative, flexible and responsive approach to curriculum design.

There are more than 2,000 physician associates (PAs) in the UK working in general practice and secondary care, and that number is growing. The NHS estimates that there will be over 5,900 PAs in the UK by the end of 2023. Currently, PAs in the UK are unable to prescribe medication due to the absence of statutory regulation and the necessary prescribing legislation. The Department of Health and Social Care, with the support of the four UK governments, recently announced the introduction of statutory regulation of medical associate professionals, which includes PAs. The General Medical Council will be the statutory regulator. A working group is now considering prescribing authority, scope of practice, education training and delivery, and how this will be achieved. At St George's, University of London, we teach applied pharmacology as part of the core curriculum for PAs.

There is no 'I' in team but there may be a PA.

Physician associates (PAs) are a relatively new medical professional group working as part of the multidisciplinary team to deliver patient care. This article aims to look at how PAs can work effectively in teams, highlighting the benefits and current working practices of PAs across the NHS and address the concerns and challenges raised.

Explosive Growth in British Physician Associate Education Since 2008.

Physician associate (PA) education in the United Kingdom has grown substantially since the establishment of 4 PA education programs in the late 2000s. From those 4 programs in 2008, the number of universities educating PAs fell to a nadir of 2 programs in 2012 and then rose to 29 by the end of 2017. Due to program closures, the number of students enrolled in the early years fluctuated substantially. In 2008, 43 students entered PA education; in 2010, only 17 students started PA training, but in 2017, the number of students enrolled in PA programs soared to 853. Early in the course of PA education, programs were only offered in the greater London and West Midlands areas of England. As of 2017, PAs were being educated in all 4 countries of the United Kingdom, although the explosive growth in the number of programs is expected to slow as 2020 nears.