The physician assistant (PA) profession is a relatively new one, having originated in the United States in 1967. Since then, the PA profession has grown rapidly and is now recognized in many countries around the world.
In the United States, PAs are licensed to practice medicine and surgery under the supervision of a physician. They are educated in a rigorous and intense Master’s program that includes both classroom and clinical training. The beauty of the PA career is that PAs are extremely versatile and can practice in a variety of specialties and settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
The PA profession has rapidly advanced to many other countries, demonstrating just how valuable this role is in the healthcare team and in areas that need advanced medical professionals, such as rural areas lacking access to quality healthcare or heavily populated areas that with high patient volume and not enough providers.
For example, the PA profession is also recognized in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. In these countries, PAs typically have a similar level of education and practice privileges as PAs in the United States. (We have interviewed multiple PAs working in other countries on our podcast so definitely check those out!)
So what are some of the reasons why the PA profession is growing in popularity around the world? First, PAs provide a valuable service in meeting the growing demand for healthcare. PAs help to reduce the workload of physicians and improve access to care for patients. Second, PAs are a cost-effective way to deliver healthcare. PAs are typically paid less than physicians, and they can provide care in a variety of settings, including rural and underserved areas.
The PA profession is still in its early stages of development in many countries. However, the profession is growing rapidly and is poised to play an increasingly important role in the delivery of healthcare around the world.
Here are some of the countries that recognize the PA profession:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- South Africa
- Germany
- India
- Israel
- Poland
- Bulgaria
- Myanmar
- Switzerland
- Liberia
- Ghana
The requirements for becoming a PA vary from country to country. However, in general, PAs must have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, and a license to practice medicine.
The job outlook for PAs is very good. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of PAs will grow 31% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected due to the increasing demand for healthcare services, as well as the aging population.
It is so exciting to see how the physician assistant career is advancing and the vital role they are playing in global healthcare. Just imagine the impact the profession can make in patient care if it continues growing!