Physician assistant

Physician assistants (PAs) are relatively new healthcare providers in the Netherlands. Their duties and responsibilities fall between those of a medical specialist and a nurse. They reduce doctors' workload by taking over various tasks.

What training does a physician assistant complete?

Before becoming a physician assistant, a person must complete a higher professional education course in healthcare, such as physiotherapy or nursing, and have several years of work experience. They then complete physician assistant training, which includes further specialisation in a medical field such as orthopaedics, rheumatology or internal medicine. They always work under a doctor's supervision.

What does a physician assistant do?

A physician assistant performs a wide range of tasks, giving doctors more time for other matters. An appointment may therefore be scheduled with a physician assistant instead of a doctor. Depending on the specialty, duties and responsibilities include:

• Holding consultations.
• Performing physical or further medical examinations.
• Developing treatment plans.
• Performing minor medical procedures such as injections, catheterisations and aspirations.
• Assisting with operations.
• Prescribing medication.
• Providing emergency care.
• Coordinating patient care.
• Providing patient information and educating healthcare staff.
• Developing protocols and guidelines to improve care.
• Contributing to scientific research.

Where does a physician assistant work?

Physician assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care homes and mental health services. They may also work in GP practices, but they are not the same as medical receptionists or practice nurses. The duties of a medical receptionist are much more limited.