Physician Associates
My name is Ellie, I am a qualified physician associate working in NHS General Practice with 5 years qualified experience. Whilst my offerings a Flourish with Lifestyle Medicine focus solely on Lifestyle Medicine, I want to be absolutely certain about my two separate roles. Independently, I do not practice medicine nor provide any services that relate to diagnosis, diagnostic tests, prescribing, treatment of any illness or condition. I am passionate about delivering high quality support and education to individuals to help them better understand their own lifestyles and habits; supporting individuals in making realistic, healthy adaptations to their lifestyle, patient empowerment and self-management of health. Providing tools and resources to help individuals make sustainable changes to their lifestyle. To clarify the PA role, please see below.
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Important Notice:
Services provided by 'Flourish' focus on holistic lifestyle support and education. This falls outside the scope of regulation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC has confirmed this directly. We do not provide medical diagnoses, treatments, or medications.
Our focus is on empowering individuals to make positive lifestyle changes that can contribute to their overall well-being. For any medical concerns, we recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare professional.
What is a Physician Associate?
A physician associate (PA) is a healthcare professional who works as part of a medical team to diagnose and manage patients. They are trained to perform many similar tasks as a doctor, but under the supervision of a senior physician. Here's a breakdown of their role:
Responsibilities:
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Patient care: PAs conduct examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, and recommend medications.
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History taking and physical exams: They gather information about a patient's medical history and symptoms, perform physical examinations, and document their findings.
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Collaboration: PAs work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive coordinated care.
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Education and counselling: They educate patients about their conditions and treatment options, and provide counselling and support.
Qualifications and Training:
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To become a PA, individuals typically complete a two-year postgraduate master's degree program after obtaining an undergraduate degree in a health or science field.
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The training focuses on general adult medicine, although PAs can specialise in specific areas like cardiology, paediatrics, or surgery after gaining experience.
Work Settings:
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PAs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, and surgical centers.
Overall, physician associates play a vital role in the healthcare system by extending the reach of doctors and providing high-quality care to patients.
Do you have any questions?
Please get in touch.