Physician Associates (PA’s)
- Within the respiratory team there are 2 permanent Physician Associates who work on a rotational basis between the bronchoscopy service and Ward 107.
- Permanent PA’s : Arianna Misacas and Ashley Smith
- There may also be newly qualified intern PA’s working within the department at any given time.
Wh0 are Physician Associates?
- Physician associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education, who work alongside doctors, physicians, GPs and surgeons.
- They provide medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.
- Physician associates are dependent practitioners working with a dedicated supervisor, but are able to work autonomously with appropriate support.
What do Physician Associates do?
Physician associates work within a defined scope of practice and limits of competence. They:
- take medical histories from patients
- carry out physical examinations
- see patients with undifferentiated diagnoses
- see patients with long-term chronic conditions
- formulate differential diagnoses and management plans
- perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- develop and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans
- request and interpret diagnostic studies (except those involving ionising radiation)
- provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.
Physician Associate Students
- As part of physician associate training, PA students also spend time on ward 107 and clinic C during a 2-4 week placement.
- During this time the students are expected to attend a variety of sessions within the respiratory department to further develop their clinical skills and knowledge.
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