Physician Associate Law may confuse patients – BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed concerns that the introduction of the Physician Associate (PA) role may cause confusion among patients.

The Physician Associate role is a new addition to the healthcare workforce in the UK, intended to support doctors in delivering patient care. However, the BMA believes that the title “Physician Associate” may lead patients to believe that these professionals are fully qualified doctors.

Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, stated that the BMA supports the principle of expanding the healthcare workforce but emphasized that clarity is essential in ensuring patient safety and trust.

He urged for clear communication with patients about the role and qualifications of Physician Associates to avoid any misunderstandings or misconceptions.

The BMA has called for measures to clearly differentiate the roles of Physician Associates from doctors to prevent confusion, protect patients, and maintain the public’s trust in the healthcare system.