Physician Associates

Physician Associates in General Practice

What does a Physician Associate do?

Physician associates (PAs) are medically trained, healthcare professionals, who work alongside doctors and other members of the practice team to provide a range of patient care. 

They are able to:

  • take medical histories from patients
  • carry out physical examinations
  • see patients with undifferentiated diagnoses
  • see patients with long-term chronic conditions
  • formulate diagnoses and management plans
  • perform diagnostic procedures
  • develop and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans
  • request and interpret diagnostic studies (except those involving ionising radiation)
  • provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

They are trained and qualified to run their own clinical appointments but always work under the supervision of a GP.

Why do we need Physician Associates?

Due to a growing population, the advances in technology, better diagnosis, prevention and treatments, the NHS can sometimes struggle to cope. This is a new role to bring more talent, adding rather than taking away from existing members of the medical workforce and increased access for patient services and care.

Medical appointments

Like other medical staff, physician associates work with their patients to provide the best and most suitable care. They have access to patients’ medical records in case they need to refer to past medical history.

Strict rules of confidentiality are adhered to throughout this practice. 

Qualifications

PAs must pass an intensive 2 -year university course at diploma or master’s level to learn clinical knowledge and skills after completing a 3 -year biomedical or healthcare related degree.

They train in hospital and GP practices to gain knowledge, skills and experience about how to look after patients.

The Faculty of Physician Associates is part of the Royal College of Physicians. They set and run the PA national exam, check the education standards and maintain a register of qualified PAs.

PAs are required to show that they are keeping their knowledge and skills up to date and have to rectify every 6 years.

Majd Alfayed
Physician Associate

Majd is a member of the Royal College of Physicians. Physician associates are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education, who work alongside doctors providing medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. Physician associates are practitioners who can work autonomously, but always under the supervision of a fully trained and experienced doctor.  

Majd’s interests include women’s’ health, gynaecological conditions, asthma, diabetes and mental health.

Sadia Sahak
Physician Associate

Sadia is a member of the Royal College of Physicians. As a highly trained healthcare professional she works with GP’s and the wider medical team. 

She is able to provide consultations in Pashto and helps manage urgent and long-term conditions.

Andreea Dorobantu
Physician Associate

Andreea is a member of the Royal College of Physicians. As a highly trained healthcare professional she works with GP’s and the wider medical team, providing consultations for urgent and chronic disease management.  

She is able to provide consultations in Romanian and helps manage long-term conditions, including hypertension and asthma.

Amina Sultana
Physician Associate

Amina is a member of the Royal College of Physicians. In her role as a Physician Associate, Amina emphasizes clinical diagnostics and patient education. She is dedicated to enhancing healthcare through empathy and staying updated, with interests in dermatology and ENT.

Janita Qadir
Physician Associate

Janita is a member of the Royal College of Physicians.  

In her role as a Physician associate in general practice, Janita has honed her skills in delivering holistic healthcare across all age groups, adeptly managing both acute and chronic conditions. Her particular focus on paediatrics underscores her dedication to providing specialised care for young patients.

Shazeda Kalam
Physician Associate

Shazeda is a member of the Royal College of Physicians. She is a highly trained clinician who works alongside the medical team to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions.

Shazeda’s interests include dermatology, respiratory medicine, and paediatrics.