Physician assistant

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

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, specialising 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 duties, giving doctors more time for other work. An appointment may therefore be scheduled with a physician assistant instead of a doctor. Depending on the specialty, responsibilities include:

• Holding consultations.
• Performing physical or further medical examinations.
• Preparing treatment plans.
• Performing minor medical procedures such as injections, catheterisations and punctures.
• Assisting with operations.
• Prescribing medication.
• Providing emergency care.
• Coordinating patient care.
• Providing patient information and training 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 a doctor's assistant. The duties of a doctor's assistant are much more limited.