The supervisor and physician associate relationship
Physician associates' ability to practice medicine is enabled by collaboration and supportive working relationships with their clinical supervisor, meaning that there is always someone who can discuss cases, give advice, and attend to patients if necessary.
Supervision of a qualified Physician Associate is comparable to that of a doctor in training or a trust grade doctor, in that the physician associate is responsible for their actions and decisions; however the consultant is the clinician who is ultimately responsible for the patient.
As a clinical supervisor there is also a responsibility for ongoing development of the PA including appraisal and development of a professional development plan (PDP).
The first year
Employers of newly qualified physician associates, or of those who have just moved to a new specialty, may wish to offer a one year “internship” so that the physician associate is able to consolidate their core knowledge and skills, and demonstrate their competence in practice. During this period, they should be supervised more closely, have experiential leaning in the clinical area in which they are working, and should maintain a portfolio of cases and case discussions with clinicians which may also be reviewed with their clinical supervisor.
The FPA Code of Conduct may also be of use. As it sets out the key areas that the FPA deems of particular interest including, professionalism, knowledge, skills, risk analysis and communication.
This item will be of interest to all Physicians Associates (PAs) and outlines what the FPA would expect from a qualified PA working in a clinical setting.