Calls grow for physician associates to be called ‘assistants’ to avoid confusion

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By Neil Pooran, PA

Physician associates should instead be referred to as “physician assistants” to prevent patient confusion about the nature of their role, a union leader has said.

The chairman of BMA Scotland voiced concern about the use of physician associates (PAs) in Scottish health boards, saying they have less training than GPs.

Physician associates or anaesthesia associates (AAs) are healthcare professionals who typically have two years of postgraduate training, compared to doctors who have trained for a total of 10 years.

Dr Iain Kennedy spoke to Holyrood’s Health Committee on Tuesday, and said particular concern had been sparked by an NHS Highland job advert which suggested a PA may be supervising doctors.

However he said he had received assurances from the health board that this was an error.

Dr Kennedy said: “The BMA in Scotland is concerned about physician associates and anaesthesia associates.

“We’ve made representation to the Cabinet Secretary on that.