Course description
The programme has been developed by St George’s University of London (SGUL) under the auspices of the Interprofessional Institute for graduates in life-sciences and health related subjects to make a valuable contribution to the nation’s health. The development of this new role has been led by the Department of Health, based on the success of the P.A role in the U.S.A over the past forty years. The National Curriculum Framework public consultation document may be found on the Department of Health website, “The Competence and Curriculum Framework for the Physician Assistant”
Successful completion of this two year intensive full time programme, will qualify students to practice in the as yet unregistered profession. Meanwhile, a national reference group is overseeing the creation of a voluntary register.
The course is due to commence in September 2008 and will include both theoretical and clinical components. Problem based learning, lectures, tutorials and supervised clinical teaching will be supported with some e-learning. Successful applicants must be prepared for an intensive learning experience which includes travel to a variety of clinical placements with supervision, as part of the course. It is intended that on qualification, the P.A will be able to undertake first-contact medical care in general practice, emergency departments and general medical wards. Students, therefore, require a breadth of clinical experience. To do this, the minimum core placements will be:
-Community Medicine
-General Hospital Medicine
-A & E
-Mental Health
-Obstetrics and Gynaecology
-Acute Setting Paediatrics
These placements will total 1000 hours. Flexibility will be built into the programme to allow individual students to spend further periods of time in clinical areas where necessary.
The core theoretical programme will include:
-Underpinning knowledge of pathology and disease processes across the life span.
-Effective communication skills for history taking and consultation with patients and carers.
-Physical examination techniques
-Therapeutics and Applied Pharmacology
-Interpretation of evidence and diagnostic results for clinical decision making.
-Ethical and legal issues
-NHS policy and professional practice.
-In order to ensure public safety, there will be a variety of rigorous assessment methods used to test knowledge, clinical skills and professional attitudes.
Applications may be made using the application form here.
The cost of the course is in the range of £3500 annually for Home students. International student fees are to be confirmed. Students will be expected to pay for their own travel to clinical placements, purchase core textbooks and consider general living expenses when estimating the overall cost of the programme.
