Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Seeing patients in clinic; taking a history, examining, diagnosing and managing. Ordering appropriate investigations for patients e.g. blood tests and imaging. Liaising with secondary care when required. Teaching medical students where necessary. Undertaking any additional work such as letters, referrals, blood test interpretation and achieving targets for the practice.

Additionally, I teach Physician Associate students on my day and a half at Sheffield Hallam. I help plan teaching on other modules, in addition to writing their examinations and cases for Problem Based Learning. Working clinically helps me to draw upon my experiences and relay these to students.

Seeing patients in a similar way to Doctors, building relationships and rapport with them. As a new role you can make your own career and progression which is new and exciting.
In comparison to Doctors, it takes a shorter time to qualify. Physician Associates are highly regarded by consultants and well respected on the wards, due to being able to provide continuity for patient care.

As a new profession, we remain unregulated so cannot legally sign prescriptions, although we have the knowledge to do so.

I wanted to do something medical and liked the idea of being able to support vulnerable patients and help them with reassurance or arranging further tests. But I wasn't happy about about doing a 4-5 year Medicine degree, after an Undergraduate degree already, and this course being 2 years really appealed to me.
I also liked the concept of being able to do a job without the added pressure of being a Doctor, and having potentially a better work life balance.

History taking
Examinations
Documentation and referrals
Communication within the team and with other team members
Procedural skills e.g. Taking blood
Interpreting results

Continuing Professional Development

I have worked at a GP surgery in Skipton for a year and a half, and then in Sheffield for nearly two years in GP. For the last year and a half I have been involved with teaching students on the Physician Associate PGDip at Sheffield Hallam University.

I am planning to do a teaching qualification to support the teaching I do with Physician Associate students at Sheffield Hallam.
I am interested in expanding the profession across Yorkshire.

Gain as much healthcare experience as possible. If you are interested in a medical career, think about whether you want to be a Physician Associate or a Doctor and the path that would best suit you.