Physician Associates are medically trained, generalist healthcare professionals who provide medical care. The role of a Physician Associate involves:

• Taking histories from patients
• Performing physical examinations
• Requesting and interpreting investigations
• Formulating diagnoses
• Performing a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Managing conditions

Working autonomously with appropriate support from their designated medical supervisor, a Physician Associate may meet a patient at any point in their cancer pathway – from triage to discharge.

As part of the hospital’s multi-disciplinary teams, Physician Associates are valued for provision of continuity of care for both patients and departments. From the patient’s viewpoint, the Physician Associate’s familiar face is beneficial and a reassuring presence. Physician Associates can ask for support from their seniors and refer to other professionals if required.

Training

Training to become a Physician Associate involves an intense two-year Post-Graduate programme which covers similar syllabus to that of medicine and provides exposure to clinical environments. Graduates must pass the Faculty of Physician Associate National examination to work as a Physician Associate within the National Health Service.  Once completed Physician Associates must continue their professional development by obtaining a minimum of 50 hours of dedicated development time per year. They are also continually assessed using workplace assessments completed by colleagues and by obtaining patient feedback.

Currently Physician Associates are not compulsorily registered.  This results in limitations to their role, such as the inability to order ionising radiation; whilst they are trained to do this, they are not permitted to do so under current regulations.   Once compulsory registration comes into place, their responsibilities will broaden and could involve ordering ionising radiation and prescribing.

Recruitment

In Wessex all of the acute Trusts have recruited Physician Associates across cancer care pathways with 9 posts funded for 12 months as part of a Cancer Alliance pilot project introducing PA roles in the cancer diagnostic pathways across Wessex.

Two experienced Physician Associates – Susanne and Hayley – supported the introduction of the profession across our region. They held talks with departments in urology, colorectal surgery, gynaecology & breast teams to support the recruitment of Physician Associates.  In the video below they talk about the role of Physician Associates and what they can offer our departments and patients.

They also discuss the evaluation project they have conducted demonstrating the impact the Physician Associates are having on patients receiving cancer care in the first 12-months of employment.

As part of Susanne & Hayley’s role they have supported departments who are employing Physician Associates; provided peer support for Physician Associates in post; and analysed data and feedback from patients, departments & the Physician Associates themselves. This evaluation will be summarised in an article which will be published in the coming months.

The project has demonstrated that throughout the initial 12-month employment window, Physician Associates were able to:

• Perform specialist procedures;
• Provide a variety of clinical services;
• Deliver continuity of care and;
• Develop service improvement initiatives.

When adequately supervised and with initial investment in adequate training, Physician Associates received positive feedback from patients and supervisors alike, and the consensus was that once registration is in place, the individual Physician Associate abilities will be able to further develop and grow as the service requires. This has demonstrated that Physician Associates can add to the current workforce and augment services to ensure efficient and sustainable service delivery.

Useful Links

If you are looking to find more information about Physician Associates, please use the following links:

• Faculty of Physician Associates
• Spotlight Series (Urology)
• Spotlight Series (Gynae-oncology)
• Health Education England South East
• Health Education England Physician Associate
• Ensuring safe and effective integration of physician associates into departmental multidisciplinary teams through good practice – NHS England

Should you have any questions regarding the Physician Associate Introduction Project hosted by the Wessex Cancer Alliance please contact:

Kathy Cooke (Workforce Programme Manager, Wessex Cancer Alliance)

Ffion Harrett (Physician Associate Ambassador, South East School of Physician Associates)

Elizabeth Goudie (Physician Associate Ambassador, South East School of Physician Associates)

Useful links

“‘We have been incredibly impressed with the initiative and clinical skills of our new Physicians Associate and they have rapidly become a valued member of the uro-oncology team at University Hospitals Dorset.”

Quote from a Consultant Urologist

“As a Physician Associate, I love making a difference to patient care and feel well accepted and supported by my nursing and medical colleagues.”

Quote from one of our newly appointed Physician Associates