Overview

Physician associates first joined the NHS workforce over ten years ago and are now employed throughout the UK across numerous specialities and in primary care.

Physician associates are permanent members of the clinical team, responsible for performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and recommending therapy. The role of physician associates is increasingly important within the healthcare workforce.

You will be trained according to the medical model and will work in collaboration with physician associates, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, psychologists and other healthcare professionals to diagnose and manage a wide range of diseases. The master's research project is undertaken in a clinically relevant area in the second year of study.

With the Physician Associate Studies programme offered by The University of Manchester, you will develop:

• intellectual skills in problem solving and enquiry, critical analysis, logical thinking, clinical reasoning and reflection;

• your knowledge and understanding of relevant principles and practical approaches in the clinical, behavioural and social sciences;

• patient-centred consultation skills;

• advanced clinical skills;

• a detailed knowledge of pharmacology and prescribing safely (in anticipation of changes to legislation to allow physician associates to prescribe).

Career opportunities

The physician associate role was first developed in the United States during the 1960s, and the profession has grown considerably in the last 15 years to the point where there are now over 130,000 registered physician associates in the US and over 3,000 in the UK.

The government has set regional targets to increase the number of physician associates working across primary and secondary care and there is considerable demand for newly qualified physician associates within the NHS. Some physician associates also undertake work in the private sector.