In a recent visit to RCSI, the CEO of the US Accreditation Review Commission for Physician Associates (ARC-PA) and the CEO of the National Commission on Certification of PAs, met with educators, students, graduates and clinicians in an effort to better understand the education and clinical practice of the Physician Associate profession in Ireland.

Drs Sharon Luke (ARC-PA) and Dawn Morton-Rias (NCCPA) were in Ireland along with the Chairs of their respective Boards of Directors to learn more about the Physician Associate educational programme offered at RCSI, as well as to explore the role of physician associates in Ireland, and gain insights into the current state of regulation and clinical governance.

They visited a number of clinical settings in order to enhance their understanding of the health system in Ireland.

They were also updated on the level of support for the profession within the health service, as well as current employment settings for Physician Associates.

Professor Lisa Alexander, Director of the Physician Associate programme at RCSI, said: “We were delighted to welcome the delegation from ARC-PA and the National Commission on Certification of PAs to RCSI. The visit was a useful opportunity to reflect on the potential benefit of physician associates in a range of different healthcare settings and the importance of accreditation and regulation, and to continue to raise visibility of this new healthcare role in Ireland.”

“We look forward to continuing to engage with ARC-PA and the National Commission and to find ways of collaborating on our shared ambitions for the profession of Physician Associate,” added Professor Alexander.