A Career as a Physician Associate?

Considering a Career as a Physician Associate? Explore the Pros and Cons

Embarking on a career in healthcare can be both incredibly challenging and rewarding. If you’re considering a profession in the medical field in the United Kingdom, you may have stumbled upon the role of a Physician Associate (PA). To dive deeper into what PAs do, check out our other blog CLICK HERE. In this post, we will examine the pros and cons to help you decide whether becoming a Physician Associate is the right path for you. Interested in gauging your clinical knowledge or tackling real exam questions that Physician Associate students face? Explore our complimentary sample multiple-choice questions for Physician Associates. CLICK HERE to get started!

Advantages of Choosing a Physician Associate Career:

1. Collaborative Professional Environment:

Enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams, promoting shared knowledge and expertise.

2. Diverse Responsibilities:

Engage in a wide range of healthcare tasks, from taking medical histories to performing procedures.

3. Crucial Role in Patient Care:

Impact patient outcomes by diagnosing conditions, managing health, and providing valuable education.

4. Growing Demand in the NHS:

Experience an expanding career landscape with increasing popularity, creating more job opportunities.

5. Diverse Working Environments:

Explore various NHS and General Practice settings, gaining exposure to different medical disciplines.

6. Career Flexibility:

Seamlessly switch specialties without the need for extensive retraining, allowing for versatile career paths.

7. Work-Life Balance:

Enjoy a balanced lifestyle with regular working hours, promoting overall well-being.

8. Personal Fulfillment:

Find fulfillment in playing a pivotal role in patient care and continually expanding medical knowledge.

9. Highly Paid Position:

Begin your career with a competitive NHS Band 7 salary, ranging from approximately £38,890 to £44,503.

Explore the comprehensive benefits of a Physician Associate career, blending collaboration, diverse responsibilities, and personal satisfaction. This dynamic role not only offers a financially rewarding start but also presents ample opportunities for career growth in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Cons and Challenges:

1. Unable to Prescribe Medication or Order Ionising Radiation:

Due to the lack of a regulatory body (pending GMC regulation), PAs are currently unable to prescribe or order ionising radiation.

2. Supervision and Limited Autonomy:

While PAs work closely with doctors, they operate under the supervision of a senior doctor. This can mean less autonomy in decision-making and patient management compared to doctors.

3. Public Awareness and Recognition:

As a relatively new role, the position of a PA is less familiar to the general public and other healthcare professionals compared to that of a doctor. Often mistaken as a doctor (Physician Associates are not doctors), this can result in a lack of recognition for the skills and contributions of PAs.

4. Unable to Work Outside of the UK:

Due to a lack of regulation, PAs are unable to work in other countries, unlike other professions.

5. Intensive Training Programme at University:

Studying to become a PA is incredibly challenging and requires dedication and perseverance.

Final Thoughts:

Becoming a Physician Associate offers a unique set of advantages and challenges. It is important to carefully consider your career goals, preferences, and the dynamics of the UK healthcare system. If you are passionate about learning more in the field of medicine, making a real difference in patient care, and becoming a pioneer in the role, a career as a Physician Associate could be the right choice for you. Remember to reach out to current PAs and other healthcare professionals to gain valuable insights into the profession and make an informed decision. Learn more about the application process, entry requirements, and universities near you that offer the course by clicking [HERE].