PAs undergo extensive medical education, including a master’s-level program and clinical training. They are skilled in medical knowledge, patient care, and working within healthcare teams. They also continue to develop professionally through ongoing education.

While PAs are not doctors, they are highly trained professionals. PAs are fully qualified to provide many of the same services, ensuring that patients receive timely, high-quality care as part of a healthcare team.

PAs are highly skilled professionals, but they have a different scope of practice than doctors. While they may not have the same depth of education as medical doctors, their training is intensive and focused on providing quality patient care within a team-based approach. PAs work closely with doctors to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

Physician Associates (PAs) in New Zealand have undergone rigorous overseas training, typically in countries with established PA programs such as the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. Their education follows the “medical model,” which includes:​

A bachelor’s degree, often in a health-related field.

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice across various medical specialties.

Completion of a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies, usually spanning about 27 months.​

This comprehensive training equips PAs to perform a wide range of medical tasks, including taking medical histories, conducting physical exams, diagnosing conditions, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and performing minor procedures. In New Zealand, however, until the profession is regulated PAs must work under the supervision of a licensed physician, with limitations on their scope of practice until formal regulation is established.

PAs are trained to prescribe medication and make decisions within their scope of practice, but always in collaboration with a doctor. They work as part of a team, ensuring that decisions are made collaboratively for the benefit of the patient. Regulation may allow for PAs to prescribe without collaborating with a GP, which they are trained to do and do in many countries overseas.

No. PAs are trained to handle a wide range of medical conditions, from routine check-ups to more complex cases. They have braod medical training to provide quality care in many areas of medicine, and they work in collaboration with doctors, nurses and allied health care proffesionals as needed.

No, PAs do not replace doctors. Instead, they work alongside doctors to support the healthcare team, increasing access to care, reducing wait times, and ensuring patients receive comprehensive and timely treatment. PAs enhance, not replace, the role of doctors.

No, PAs are highly trained healthcare professionals who work alongside doctors to provide high-quality care. They undergo extensive medical education and clinical training, and their work is closely supervised by doctors to ensure safety and quality. PAs are an essential part of healthcare teams, enhancing patient access to care, not diminishing its quality. Far from being a “second-tier” option, PAs bring expertise, compassion, and flexibility that enhance the healthcare experience for patients and providers alike.

The introduction of more PAs ensures that patients receive excellent, safe, and effective care. They follow strict clinical guidelines, work closely with doctors, and are committed to ongoing professional development. More PAs means more healthcare professionals working together to meet the needs of patients.

Absolutely not. PAs are trained to provide the same high standards of care as any other healthcare provider. They are equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide variety of conditions, and always work within a team-based approach with experienced doctors to ensure the highest level of patient care.

PAs are a well-established and vital part of the healthcare system in many countries around the world, including the US, UK, and Canada. In New Zealand, the introduction and regulation of PAs is a long-term solution designed to meet the country’s healthcare needs, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

International evidence shows that PAs provide high-quality, effective, and safe care, working as trusted members of healthcare teams to improve access and outcomes for patients.

1) Physician Associates (PAs) are safely and successfully practicing in many countries around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Israel,Kenya,etc. Learn more . These countries have or recently developed well-established regulatory frameworks that ensure high standards of education, clinical competence, and patient safety. International evidence shows that PAs provide high-quality, effective, and safe care, working as trusted members of healthcare teams to improve access and outcomes for patients.

2) Research conducted in the UK in 2025, found that of over 14,000 serious incidents reported across 40 NHS Trusts, PAs were implicated in only three cases. This overwhelming statistic demonstrates the safety of Physician Associates in practice, and effectively counters claims to the contrary. Clinical audits and Trust-level data confirm that PAs and AAs are not only safe practitioners, but critical in ensuring continuity of care. Of over 14,000 serious incidents reported across 40 NHS Trusts, PAs were implicated in only three cases. This overwhelming statistic demonstrates the safety of Physician Associates in practice, and effectively counters claims to the contrary. Learn more.

3) In the Netherlands around 2,400 Dutch PAs practice medicine autonomously, albeit in collaboration with medical doctors. This independent authority was obtained after proving that deploying PAs was effective, efficient and safe. See Netherlands publication with evidence 2025.

4) Studies on physician associates working in primary care in England and those working in primary care and other NHS services in Scotland show that they are safe, effective and liked by patients. English research  &  Scottish research.

Having more PAs will improve access to healthcare, especially in underserved areas. They help ease the pressure on doctors, reducing wait times, and ensuring that more people receive timely, high-quality care. This will strengthen, not weaken, New Zealand’s healthcare system.