North, Central and South America

The physician assistant title was first used in 1967 in the United States by the graduates of the first PA education program located in North Carolina. The profession and education has grown exponentially in all 50 states and five US territories, with a recent title change to physician associate, voted by the American Academy of Physician Associates. Canada has PAs who are educated and providing medical care in most of the ten provinces, including the Canadian Armed Forces. Central and South Africa have various health cadres. Guyana has the medical extension officer with more information need to confirm the presence of PA/PA Analogues in other countries.

The following countries in North, Central and South America have a PA/PA Analogue education program and clinical practitioner. As indicated, some countries need more information.

COUNTRY NAME	Practice Title	Qualification Title
Bolivia	Medical Extension Officer	Unconfirmed, more information needed
Brazil	Medical Extension Officer	Unconfirmed, more information needed
Canada	Physician Assistant	Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant, Bachelor of Health Sciences Physician Assistant
Canada	Physician Assistant	Masters of Physician Assistant Studies
Colombia	Community Health Technician	Unconfirmed, more information needed
Guyana	Medical Extension Officer	Unconfirmed, more information needed
Mexico	Community Health Technician	Unconfirmed, more information needed
Peru	Community Health Technician	Unconfirmed, more information needed
Puerto Rico	Physician Associate, or Asociado Médico	Master degree
United States	Physician Associate	Master degree
United States	Physician Assoicate	Doctorate Degree
U.S. Virgin Islands	Physician Assoicate	Unconfirmed, more information needed

Would you like to contribute by providing your country's details and any updates that are to be featured in the map?

Please write to us with any information about clinical practitioners in a country that are not featured, or with any new updates or corrections of any information to populate the world map. IAPAE will verify the authenticity of the details provided and publish it quarterly

Get involved with North, Central and South America PA and PA Analogue education

IAPAE supports the PA and PA Analogue education programs and professional practice in North, Central and South America through our Regional Director of North, Central and South America. If you would like to be involved in educational activities in North, Central and South America, please contact us.