RCGP: Physician Associates update (October 2023)

Summary

Physician associates (PAs) support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patient. They are often employed in general practice as members of the multidisciplinary team, trained in the medical model. This update outlines the Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP's) policy position on PAs. The RCGP sees PAs as having an enabling role to play for general practice, but highlights that they must always work under the supervision of GPs and must be considered additional members of the team, rather than a substitute for GPs.