PAs are trained to carry out a complete physical examination, make an initial diagnosis, order and interpret investigations and develop an initial treatment plan for patients with a variety of illnesses under the supervision of a doctor. They may also carry out some procedures, under supervision, including assisting in surgery.
- Curriculum Overview
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This is a two-year full time programme requiring ninety weeks of study and combines the theoretical and scientific basis of medicine with clinical experience.
During year 1 there is an emphasis on communication and clinical skills whilst learning about the scientific basis of medicine. As the course progresses towards the end of the first year and through the second year there are a series of clinical rotations through specialities such as general surgery, emergency medicine, reproductive health and paediatrics where students learn about common disease presentation whilst dealing with real patients. During these rotations, students will benefit bedside teaching, seminars and tutorials whilst working alongside a variety of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
The programme leads to the award of the Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies which is awarded by the University of Aberdeen. This entitles students to sit the national exam which entitles entry onto the Managed Voluntary Register and to practise as a PA in the UK.
Aims
The programme aims to produce professionals who have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to function as Physician Associates and the personal and intellectual attributes necessary for lifelong professional development.
Such graduates will be:
- Safe practitioners working in a wide variety of clinical settings within their scope of practice and agreed supervision
- Expert communicators who are empathic in a manner appropriate to a healthcare profession
- Aware of health inequalities and the challenges of working in a multicultural environment, with patients from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds
- Aware of the limits of their competence and determined to act within those limits
- Trained in the context of multi-professional working in a team environment
- Adept in the use of communication and information technology (C&IT) skills for healthcare
- Capable and motivated lifelong learners who are continually engaged in active professional development
- Understanding of the need to maintain and promote health, as well as to cure or palliate disease, and aware of their obligations to the wider community as well as to individuals
- Trained to integrate theoretical and clinical learning
- Assessment
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Exams are never a popular feature of any curriculum, but everyone recognises that the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition has a duty to ensure that its graduates have achieved a safe and satisfactory standard of performance in all the elements of medical practice. Assessment is continuous ensuring that basic skills are mastered before moving on to more advanced topics. Since medicine is not simply a theoretical subject, teaching and learning covers knowledge, skills and attitudes and assessment must therefore do the same. A variety of assessment methods are used:
Written Exams
These test factual knowledge, but can also test clinical reasoning/diagnostic skills and, to a lesser extent, attitudes. The format includes single best answer questions and extended matching questions.
Clinical Exams
Clinical skills include history taking, communication skills and examination technique. Diagnostic skills, knowledge of disease management and a wide range of professional skills including ethics are also encompassed within clinical exams. These are tested in the following way:
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
These comprise a sequence of stations, usually between 12 to 18, each of which tests the candidate on his or her ability to perform a specific clinical task or solve a clinical problem in a specified time period (typically 8 minutes).
Formative Assessments
Formative assessments are distributed throughout the course and their purpose is to provide feedback to students on how well they are performing. There is no sanction or penalty for failing these "practice" exams - they are intended to provide an early warning to students that they are not reaching the required standard. There are extensive support mechanisms within the School and formative exams often help staff to identify students who need help for one reason or another, eg because of illness or personal or financial difficulties.
Summative Assessments
Summative assessments are degree exams, usually at the end of a year. These are the "official" assessments that determine whether a student is good enough to proceed to the next year of the course, or to graduate at the end of the course. Students normally have two opportunities to pass such assessments.
National Exam
Upon successful completion of the University of Aberdeen assessments, students are eligible to present for the national exam graduates. Upon successful passing the National Exam, candidates are eligible to be entered on the voluntary national register (PA MVR) and to practice as a PA in the UK.
- After Graduation
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Following the two year course and after qualification, PAs can expect starting salaries of Agenda for Change Band 6.
Thereafter career progression will be dependent upon competency, attributes and opportunities to progress to higher pay scales.
The Physician Associate role has been identified as a key profession in NHS service within the UK. It is envisaged that a large number of job vacancies will become available in forthcoming years.
Useful Websites
Managed Voluntary Register
A Managed Voluntary Register is the official register for UK based PAs to join to achieve statutory regulation