Abstract
Background
Physician associates (PAs) are medical associate professionals who work under the supervision of a doctor within multi-disciplinary teams. Though newly qualified PAs are expected to perform at the same level as newly qualified doctors, no studies have compared the level of medical knowledge upon graduation. The aim of this analysis was to determine the knowledge of PAs in comparison to medical students and Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctors in the UK.
Methods
We undertook a retrospective analysis of assessment data from identical medical knowledge progress tests taken by PA students, medical students, and FY1 doctors. Student performance data were collated for each of the 88 identical items, from all cohorts, across all stages of the PA and medical programmes, as well as all cohorts of FY1 doctors sitting the exam.
Results
Analysis showed that PA student performance was comparable to medical students and FY1 doctors. At Stage 1 end, PA student mean performance was consistent with Stage 3 medicine (36.35%, 34.81%, respectively), whereas at Stage 2 end, PA performance was consistent with Stage 4 medicine (51.63%, 49.92%, respectively). Growth between Stage 1 and 2 PA, and Stage 3 and 4 medicine was almost identical. Significantly, many Stage 2 PA students met or exceeded Stage 5 medicine and FY1 performance upon graduation.
Conclusions
This is the first UK analysis that directly compares PA medical knowledge to medical students and FY1 doctors, provides evidence of the standard of PA knowledge, and reassurance that graduates are achieving the required standard.
Physician associates (PAs) are medical associate professionals who work under the supervision of a doctor within multi-disciplinary teams. Though newly qualified PAs are expected to perform at the same level as newly qualified doctors, no studies have compared the level of medical knowledge upon graduation. The aim of this analysis was to determine the knowledge of PAs in comparison to medical students and Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctors in the UK.
Methods
We undertook a retrospective analysis of assessment data from identical medical knowledge progress tests taken by PA students, medical students, and FY1 doctors. Student performance data were collated for each of the 88 identical items, from all cohorts, across all stages of the PA and medical programmes, as well as all cohorts of FY1 doctors sitting the exam.
Results
Analysis showed that PA student performance was comparable to medical students and FY1 doctors. At Stage 1 end, PA student mean performance was consistent with Stage 3 medicine (36.35%, 34.81%, respectively), whereas at Stage 2 end, PA performance was consistent with Stage 4 medicine (51.63%, 49.92%, respectively). Growth between Stage 1 and 2 PA, and Stage 3 and 4 medicine was almost identical. Significantly, many Stage 2 PA students met or exceeded Stage 5 medicine and FY1 performance upon graduation.
Conclusions
This is the first UK analysis that directly compares PA medical knowledge to medical students and FY1 doctors, provides evidence of the standard of PA knowledge, and reassurance that graduates are achieving the required standard.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-8 |
| Journal | MedEdPublish |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | (20) |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Apr 2025 |