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 physicians' workload by taking over various tasks.

What training does a physician assistant complete?

Before becoming a physician assistant, a person must complete a bachelor's degree in healthcare, such as physical therapy or nursing, and have several years of work experience. They then complete physician assistant training, during which they specialize in a medical field such as orthopedics, rheumatology or internal medicine. Physician assistants always work under a physician's supervision.

What does a physician assistant do?

A physician assistant performs various duties, allowing the physician to spend more time on other matters. An appointment may therefore be scheduled with a physician assistant instead of a physician. Depending on the specialty, duties and responsibilities include:

• Holding office hours.
• Performing physical or additional medical examinations.
• Creating a treatment plan.
• Performing minor medical procedures such as injections, catheterizations and aspirations.
• Assisting with surgery.
• Prescribing medication.
• Providing emergency care.
• Coordinating patient care.
• Providing patient education 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 healthcare facilities. They may also work in primary care practices, but this is not the same as a medical assistant. A medical assistant's duties are much more limited.