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The evolution of the PA profession in Switzerland
Cynthia Connard1, Claudia Rose Varnedoe, Anita Manser Bonnard
1At the time this article was written, Cynthia Connard and Claudia Rose Varnedoe were PA students in the School of Physician Assistant Studies at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health in Boston, MA. Anita Manser Bonnard is a lecturer at the Zurich University of Applied Science (ZHAW) Institute of Public Health in Winterthur, Switzerland. Nancy Hurwitz is assistant program director, director of clinical education, and an associate professor at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health. A.M. Bonnard discloses employment as the founding PA program director at ZHAW. The authors have disclosed no other potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
The physician associate (PA) profession in Switzerland began informally in 2014 and formalized in 2016. Current efforts focus on developing consistent policies for PA education, training, and practice as the profession grows.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare professions
- Medical education
- Public health policy
Background:
- The physician associate (PA) role was informally introduced in Swiss hospitals in 2014.
- Formal PA education commenced at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in 2016, establishing the sole university curriculum in Switzerland.
- The PA profession in Switzerland has grown to approximately 300 practitioners by 2025.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the development and current status of the physician associate profession in Switzerland.
- To highlight the ongoing efforts in establishing professional governance and standardized practices for PAs.
- To inform stakeholders about the evolving landscape of PA education and scope of practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of the historical development of the PA profession in Switzerland.
- Analysis of the current educational structure, including certification and master's degree options.
- Examination of ongoing policy development initiatives involving professional organizations, academia, and authorities.
Main Results:
- Switzerland has established a formal PA education pathway, with ZHAW as the sole provider.
- The PA profession is expanding, with around 300 PAs practicing as of 2025.
- Collaborative efforts are underway to define governance, education standards, and scope of practice.
Conclusions:
- The physician associate profession in Switzerland has transitioned from informal beginnings to a structured educational framework.
- Continued collaboration is essential for developing robust policies to support the growing PA workforce.
- Standardization of PA education and practice will be crucial for the profession's future integration into the Swiss healthcare system.
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