Physician Associate Studies MSc

Overview

Physician Associates are part of the medical team and are a new and dynamic role in the NHS.

Physician Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education who work alongside physicians, GPs and surgeons and provide medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.

PAs are dependent practitioners working with a dedicated consultant or GP supervisor. They also work alone, with appropriate support.

While not doctors, PAs work to the medical model. They use skills and knowledge to deliver holistic care and treatment. They do this with the medical team in secondary or primary care.

Physician Associates work under defined levels of supervision.

The course draws on Newcastle University’s considerable excellence in medical training and is in association with Health Education North East.

This course would suit those with a minimum of an upper second class degree from a bioscience discipline or from a health care background

You'll develop core knowledge in preparation for the clinical workplace. This will include appropriate knowledge of:

• communication skills
• clinical examination skills
• clinical reasoning
• data interpretation
• anatomy
• physiology
• pharmacology
• ethics
• professional standards

Our MSc in Physician Associate Studies course will prepare you for the National Physician Associate entrance exam. Successful completion of the national exam allows you to work as a Physician Associate (PA).

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a bioscience or related subject. Some examples of degrees we regard as generally suitable are: anatomy; biology; biochemistry/medical biochemistry; biomedical science; dentistry; human biology/physiology/pharmacology; medical sciences; Operating Theatre Practitioner; pharmacy; physiotherapy; podiatry; psychology (with a biological orientation); radiography; zoology. If you have a Health Sciences Diploma (egg Nursing) with extensive clinical experience, we may also consider you. We do not consider applications from candidates who have previously commenced a medical degree and failed to progress for any reason.