The role of the physician associate: an overview

The physician assistant role in healthcare delivery was first introduced during the 1960s in the USA as a solution to doctor shortages, greater population healthcare needs and increasing healthcare provision costs. Since then, many countries worldwide have utilized the successful USA physician assistant model as a benchmark to guide both physician assistant training and the incorporation of the role into their healthcare systems. While the USA retained the title physician assistant, Ireland and the UK use the title physician associate. Physician assistants/associates are trained in the generalist medical model and function under the supervision of a doctor. Tasks relating to the role include the following: taking patient's medical histories, performing examinations, making diagnosis, requesting tests, analysing results and the initiation of treatment. They practice across a broad range of specialities and settings. Physician assistants in the USA and the Netherlands have prescribing privileges. Statutory regulation for physician assistants/associates lays the groundwork for prescribing privileges and such regulation is under consideration by the government in the UK. Studies indicate that doctors and patients are largely satisfied with the contribution of this profession to healthcare services and physician assistants/associates report good job satisfaction.