Physician assistants

[Anjoo]

But I thought a PA is under a doctor anyway, similar to a HCA ... and that the doctor would give the more less comlex cases to them

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by Anjoo

My point about PhD's was that not any joe bloggs is being recruited onto the course, some of the people do have a well grounded knowledge in anatomy. This benefits the patient because the medical practitioner will confidently identify and determine diagnosis through knowledge.

That's ok then. For the ones who do have some knowledge, that is. As I say, science degrees have virtually no clinical relevance in my experience. Having done grad entry med, I am confident that few of my classmates had much relevant clincial knowledge unless they also had a clinical qualification.

[Anjoo]

yeh yazoo, some nurses are probably studying this course, the ones who don't have knowledge would just have to work their socks off. My friend who is a medical student told me she has some mature students in her class who have done first degrees in non-science subjects.

I think sometimes they look at the motivation and life experience as well as other things.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by Anjoo

But I thought a PA is under a doctor anyway, similar to a HCA ... and that the doctor would give the more less comlex cases to them

The problem with this approach is that the complexity of the case may not initially be evident. Also, as Polaris87 quoted from the Brum website, it is expected that PAs will see "undifferentiated" cases. This means that nobody else has seen them...

[Anjoo]

hmm i still think they won't see really complex cases [consultants or SHO's would see those] but unless the PA specialised in a field of medicine, like took further qualifications. Its really hard to tell at this stage whats going to happen..

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by Anjoo

I think sometimes they look at the motivation and life experience as well as other things.

And so we get back to Jo Bloggs.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by Anjoo

hmm i still think they won't see really complex cases [consultants or SHO's would see those] but unless the PA specialised in a field of medicine, like took further qualifications. Its really hard to tell at this stage whats going to happen..

I'm an SHO. I don't deal with the really complex cases!

[Anjoo]

But judging by the pre-requisites its obviously not joe bloggs right lol

[Anjoo]

Cool .... what do you deal with? also if you don't mind me askin what department you work in

[yazoo]

And I'm stopping here, except for saying that I would actively advise any close friend of mine who was considering this career to do nursing or medicine instead.