Physician associate debate must be ‘inclusive and respectful’, says academy as it sets out guidance

Posed by models. Credit: Getty/sturti

By Sarah Lowden

The debate around physician associates should “always remain inclusive, professional, evidence-based and respectful”, says the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges as it sets out practical guidance for doctors on integrating PAs into existing teams.

The government plans to increase the number of physician associates to 10,000 and anaesthesia associates to 2,000 by 2036/37. There are currently around 3,000 PAs working in the UK.