Graduate entry medicine over PA

2

Hi everyone. I’m currently in my last year of university and I have three offers for the masters of physician associate course to start in September. However, I am wary due to the controversy and I have a fear that the role is going to be phased out and there will be no jobs after I have finished my masters. I know my passion has always been medicine and I am therefore thinking to apply for medicine in the upcoming September at the same time I start my physician associate course. This would mean that I would do one year of the physician associate course and then drop out to start medicine next year. I was just wondering if this is allowed with the universities? I know a lot of people are going to be thinking what is the point of doing the position associate course if you know you’re going to drop out but I don’t want to risk rejecting my offers and then applying for grad medicine and not getting an offer. I hope this makes sense and please don’t reply to me in terms of funding and money as money is not a problem. The main issue is I’m not sure if this is allowed in terms of dropping out of the masters to start graduate entry med. any help will be appreciated

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Dropping out of the PA course may not look great when applying to the medical courses. Why not just take the year to get more substantive work experience in an HCA role or something...

Reply 2

unknown21006526

OP

2

Original post

by artful_lounger

Dropping out of the PA course may not look great when applying to the medical courses. Why not just take the year to get more substantive work experience in an HCA role or something...

I don’t know if I want to reject the course fully. I know the prospects are not looking good but I do have some hope for it. I’m just really stuck.

Reply 3

z3br4

2

Original post

by unknown21006526

I don’t know if I want to reject the course fully. I know the prospects are not looking good but I do have some hope for it. I’m just really stuck.

I'm exactly in the same position. Got offer on PA course but have this kind of fear about the course and also want to apply to GEM in September while starting the PA course. From what i checked, you can drop out and apply for GEM it shouldn't be a issue because you have a genuine reason to why you want to drop out. You just have to make sure you check with the university you will study the PA course about their withdrawal regulations. I'm most likely gonna apply for GEM in September too.

Reply 4

Turning_A_Corner

15

Regardless of whether money is an issue or not, this is a waste of money.

Doctors will always be doctors but no one can say what the PA role will look like in three years time.

Reply 5

clappednconfused

6

Hey in the same situation (but for a different MSc, not PA). Have you heard anything about this? feeling a bit anxious as I start the course in Sept but not sure if I'll still be eligible for GEM :/

Reply 6

Flamingo10

12

Original post

by unknown21006526

Hi everyone. I’m currently in my last year of university and I have three offers for the masters of physician associate course to start in September. However, I am wary due to the controversy and I have a fear that the role is going to be phased out and there will be no jobs after I have finished my masters. I know my passion has always been medicine and I am therefore thinking to apply for medicine in the upcoming September at the same time I start my physician associate course. This would mean that I would do one year of the physician associate course and then drop out to start medicine next year. I was just wondering if this is allowed with the universities? I know a lot of people are going to be thinking what is the point of doing the position associate course if you know you’re going to drop out but I don’t want to risk rejecting my offers and then applying for grad medicine and not getting an offer. I hope this makes sense and please don’t reply to me in terms of funding and money as money is not a problem. The main issue is I’m not sure if this is allowed in terms of dropping out of the masters to start graduate entry med. any help will be appreciated

There is really no point in doing any of the PA course if you really want to do GEM. The PA course would just be a waste of money and your time.

If you want to do GEM then apply for that and have a year off doing something else until you can put your application in. Also work out how you are going to fund your course.

Reply 7

Flamingo10

12

Original post

by unknown21006526

I don’t know if I want to reject the course fully. I know the prospects are not looking good but I do have some hope for it. I’m just really stuck.

It is a good idea to reject this course anyway even if you are not considering GEM. The job situation is dire for PAs. Also now by law PAs are not allowed to say to patients that they are medically qualified. So you will spend your whole life telling people your job title followed by what you are not. So for example "I am a Physicians Associate ( Assistant the name could change to this) I am not medically qualified."

Reply 8

Aubryn

2

it is not worth doing the PA course. I have been a PA for over 5years and now redundant for 6months. I have been applying for admin manager jobs as they are not even recruiting for PAs anymore. I don't think there is any future for that role now. If you can apply for GEM, do it. All the best.

Reply 9

jobojobojoboxxx

9

I believe no Gem course would consider someome who intends to drop out of another course that they have started. It shows a lack of committment and resilience and they have a massive pool of applicants who are not currently in the middle of another course. You either need to finish your pa course or dont attend if you want a chance in gem.

Graduate entry medicine over PA

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