Stakeholders (including consumers) have told the Council that the ‘physician associate’ name is not ideal for Aotearoa New Zealand as it is confusing and not well understood. 

In many overseas places, the name ‘physician assistant’ is used. Stakeholders have told us that this name would be better for Aotearoa New Zealand.  

In the United Kingdom, there has been a recommendation to change the name to ‘physician assistant’ to help make it clearer that the person works as part of a team and is not a medical doctor. 

The physician associate profession in Aotearoa New Zealand wants the current name to stay because they believe it shows the training and experience physician associates have.

It is important that the title describes what PAs do. We are interested to know what you think is best: physician associate or physician assistant.

The title ultimately decided on will guide future decision-making on an appropriate te reo Māori title.

Go to:

➤    What PAs can do – their scopes of practice
➤    Qualifications and registration pathways – proposed 
➤    How PAs will be supervised – proposed framework
➤    Cultural safety requirements

Have your say:

➤   Online survey questionnaire

More detailed content deciding the right title for PA scopes of practice