Hi! Second year PA student here, due to graduate in a few months. I can say they are definitely not basically the same thing, and I can confidently outline these things for you, as well as clear up a few misconceptions about the role. I chose PA over medicine for personal reasons, for example I wanted a good work/life balance (PAs work mostly Monday-Friday 9-5) and I did not have the ambition/want to work upwards in a career for many years like doctors do. PA’s are very much trained in a similar way to doctors, we are trained to the medical model in a very intense way. I am on the masters which is 2 years, it’s extremely fast paced and intense. When qualified we don’t have to ‘climb’ vertically up the ladder like doctors, however there is room to become extremely skilled and to earn more money etc. We can make clinical decisions using our knowledge, and yes we follow guidelines however we can also deviate from them as doctors do, currently that would involve a quick discussion with a senior. The PA role will be regulated this year, and therefore we will be able to work more independently. Unlike DRs PA’s do not specialise, so if you work in A E for 5 years and fancy a change you can work somewhere completely different, where as doctors are quite tied into their training programmes once they decide which direction they are going. There are many many perks to being a PA and I personally found it the best option for me, but if you have a passion for medicine and you want constant career progression and are willing to dedicate your life to it then I would wait and reapply to medicine as the PA role may not fulfil you. As stated about you could get a job as HCA or a ward clerk? it would give you a great insight and stand you in good stead for interviews etc. Please feel free to ask me any questions