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International Academy
of Physician Associate Educators
global physician associate (PA) and PA Analogue health science educators to develop and share best educational practices
International Academy
of Physician Associate Educators
IAPAE is a volunteer-run organization with a mission to bring together global physician associate (PA) and PA Analogue health science educators to develop and share best educational practices
Established in the year 2007
IAPAE was established in 2007 as a diverse organisation of international healthcare educators to unite the global Physician Associate and PA Analogue education programs around the globe under a shared set of values, beliefs and goals.
Through our research, IAPAE has identified more than seventy countries around the world that have PA and PA Analogue education programs. The country practice titles of these PA and PA Analogue clinical practitioners include clinical associate, clinical officer, feldsher, health officer, medical assistant, medical licentiate, physician assistant, and physician associate to name a few of the thirty-five different titles found around the world.
What is a Physician Associate and PA Analogue?
Physician Associates and PA Analogues are clinical practitioners who provide medical treatment as part of the heathcare team. Per the International Labour Organisation, physician associates and PA analogues are: “paramedical practitioners that provide advisory, diagnostic, curative and preventive medical services. They work autonomously or with limited supervision of medical doctors, and apply advanced clinical procedures for treating and preventing diseases, injuries and other physical or mental impairments common to specific communities.”
Core Activities of IAPAE
International
Education
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Advocacy and
Representation
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International
Accreditation
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Global Repository
and Toolbox
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IAPAE Annual
Conferences
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Our Purpose and Aims
IAPAE strives to be the leading international resource for existing and developing Physician Associate and PA Analogue Educational Programs. The Academy brings together global healthcare educators to develop and share best educational practices respecting regional cultures. We promote global health and support the World Health Organization’s mission to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030 through health science education and clinical training of all global PA and PA Analogues who will contribute to the future of healthcare.
International PA and PA Analogue Education Programs
Conducting global research, IAPAE has identified seventy plus countries around the world that have PA and PA Analogue education programs. There are more than thirty-five different country practice titles for these clinical practitioners including asociado médico, assistant medical officer, clinical associate, clinical health officer, clinical officer, community health officer, emergency surgical officer, feldsher, medical assistant/associate, medical licentiate, medical extension officer, physician assistant/associate, techniques paramédicales, técnicos de cirurgia and técnicos de medicina.
Their history can be traced back to Peter the Great in the 17th century utilising feldshers in his Russian army to treat battlefield soldiers. In the late 18th century, Malaysia began training a medical assistant, which is still providing medical care today. In the 19th century, France utilised the officier de santé, Puerto Rico trained the practicantes for primary healthcare and Sri Lanka educated the apothecaries. In 1896, Africans were educated as medical dressers and hospital assistants, which evolved to medical assistants and later became the title used today in much of Africa as clinical officer. In 1965 the physician assistant profession started in the United States and in the beginning of the 21st century PA education started in Europe and the United Kingdom using the title physician associate.
Per the International Labour Organisation, these clinical practitioners are under the category of Health Professional Paramedical Practitioner. The International Standard Classification of Occupations 2008 describes their scope of practice as:
“conducting physical examinations of patients; performing medical and surgical procedures, including prescribing and administering treatments, medications and other preventive or curative measures, especially for common diseases and disorders; administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, electrocardiogram and laboratory tests; performing therapeutic procedures and infection management; assisting medical doctors with complex surgical procedures; monitoring patients’ progress and response to treatment, and identifying signs and symptoms requiring referral to medical doctors; advising patients and families on prevention or treatment of disease and disorders; identifying and referring complex or unusual cases to medical doctors, hospitals or other places for specialized care.”
Read the ILO Report – International Standard Classification of Occupations ISCO-08
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Stay up to date with the most recent professional news, events, and updates from around the world
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Become a Member of the IAPAE Community
We are an engaged and active community, with a range of resources to help you get the most out of your IAPAE membership. From online communities to moderated discussions, interactive online forums and discounts at meetings and the annual conference, IAPAE is here to help you develop your educational skills, educational program and spread the value of the global PA and PA Analogue healthcare professional