A Physician Associate is a new healthcare professional who, while not a doctor, works to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general practice team under defined levels of supervision.  PAs are trained to perform a number of roles, including taking medical histories, performing examinations, diagnosing illnesses, analysing test results and developing management plans for the care of patients.

Physician associates are clinical graduates trained in the medical model. They must pass an intensive 2 year university course at diploma or masters level to learn clinical knowledge and skills after completing a 3 year biomedical or healthcare related degree. They train in both the acute sector and primary care to gain a rounded patient centred clinical experience.