UEA to train new generation of health professionals
By: News Archive
Students with an interest in health will be able to take advantage of an almost wholly-funded degree with the new taught Physician Associate masters course at UEA.
A physician associate is a dependent health care professional who has been trained in the medical model and works under the supervision of a doctor or surgeon. They are able to undertake a number of medical tasks such as obtaining medical histories, diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries and giving preventive health advice. They will play a vital role in the future of the NHS, improving the lives of thousands of patients.
The first cohort of students, who will start their course in January 2016, will be mostly funded by Health Education East of England (HEEoE) - only paying £500 for each of the two years of the course themselves.
There are over 100,000 physician associates in the USA, where the role was introduced, with ever increasing numbers in the UK. UEA is one of only ten UK universities currently offering physician associate training.
Applicants for the course are expected to be science graduates, particularly with a biomedical science degree. Although anticipated to be popular with recent graduates, it may also appeal to those who with science-related degrees who have been working for a number of years and are looking for a career change.
Prof Mary Jane Platt from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We are delighted to be offering this innovative new course at the University. It will build on our success in training junior doctors, and offer an exciting opportunity for a career in health care for a new generation of health professionals.”
Ipswich Hospital Medical Director Barbara Buckley said: “I warmly welcome the UEA’s new course. Physician associates are focussed, dedicated and very skilful health care professionals who will become an integral part of our medical teams. They bring a new dimension to medicine and we very much look forward to being partners in their training and working with them at Ipswich Hospital to further improve patient care.”
This news comes days after the Faculty of Physician Associates was launched at the Royal College of Physicians. As part of the creation of the Faculty, work is under way to enhance education, training and CPD for physician associates. The Faculty will also be responsible for organising certification and recertification examinations for PAs and accrediting university programmes, all in line with the DH Competence and Curriculum Framework for Physician Assistants (the former name for Physician Associates).
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