Physician associates perform an integral and skilled role in healthcare, supporting medical supervisors in performing physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, interpreting diagnostic tests, and recommending treatment plans.

Designed and delivered in collaboration with practitioners from local healthcare providers, this course will equip you with the experience and expertise required to practice as a physician associate. You will develop transferable skills that are invaluable in both the healthcare sector and across industries.

We deliver teaching through tutor-led sessions and clinical placements, reinforcing your knowledge through self-directed study. We will develop your ability to work as part of a multi-professional team and provide contemporary and informed insight thanks to input and guidance from experienced clinical colleagues.

During the course you will cover a range of modules, gaining comprehensive understanding of clinical human anatomy and physiology, diseases and health conditions associated with major organ systems, an in-depth view of community health, and key clinical and professional skills such as history taking, physical examination and ethics. You will also complete an independent supervised practice-related project.

Key features

• This programme is designed and delivered by dedicated academic staff and healthcare professionals who have a wealth of knowledge in the field.
• Benefit from mandatory placements in general practice, community and acute hospital settings to equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as a physician associate
• Purpose-built clinical skills areas will allow you to apply theory to practice in a safe environment
• Improve your critical thinking skills and your ability to design, execute and present findings of practice-based research
• Study a range of modules including; Anatomy and Physiology, Community Health, General Medicine and Speciality Medicine
• There is currently a high demand for physician associates in the East Midlands NHS workforce

Structure and assessment

Course modules

Anatomy & Physiology (15 credits): This module will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Clinical anatomy will be taught using a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops using 3D anatomical models. The knowledge gained on anatomical structure will be complemented with functional knowledge through teaching on medical physiology topics.

Community Health (15 credits): This module provides an in-depth view of community health, with a focus on populations and communities rather than individual patients. Content includes primary care, mental health and public health, with discussion on the impact of significant health issues upon local and national health services.

Clinical & Professional Skills (30 credits): In this module, you will develop key clinical and professional skills related to working as a Physician Associate. For example; research methods, clinical skills, history taking, physical examination, ethics, communication skills, professional guidelines and regulation, evidence-based medicine, inter-professional education.

General Medicine 1 (30 credits): This module provides a systemic approach to learning about organ systems and clinical pharmacology.  Content will include diseases and health conditions associated with major organ systems (e.g. muscular, skeletal, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, endocrine, urinary/excretory, reproductive and digestive), and how they are treated. The role of the Physician Associate in therapeutics and prescribing will also be discussed.

General Medicine 2 (30 credits): This module will equip you with a sound knowledge of different areas in the clinical setting, and the role of such specialisms in primary and secondary care. Content includes: paediatrics, orthopaedics, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, critical care and rehabilitation medicine.

Practice-Related Project (60 credits): This module involves completion of an independent (but supervised) evidence-based, practice-related project. The project will develop your ability to relate research concepts and topics to a clinical setting.

You, in conjunction with a clinical supervisor, will identify a research question or area for development and then design an original project to highlight potential solutions.

You will also complete a clinical portfolio and sit the Physician Associate National Exam – these are not credit-bearing, but are essential for the qualification of MSc in Physician Associate Studies.

All modules are compulsory, and all modules must be passed in order to complete the qualification of MSc.

Facilities and features