ASPA: AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS INCORPORATED
Take a minute to think about this question. Is 2012 going to be the year the Physician Assistant takes their place as a recognised health professional in Australia?
As the New Year starts, we have Australian PA graduates still waiting to practice as a PA in a recognised role, and by mid year, the second Australian PA cohort graduates into what is still an uncertain professional environment. And a new group of students has already begun their first year of the new James Cook University program. So what does this year have in store for the PA?
Read more of the President's message here...
ASPA Inc Newsletter - SOAP now released!
As part of the Australian Society of Physician Assistants Inc mission to promote the PA profession in Australia a new, regular newsletter - SOAP has been published!
Our editor, Ms Sandi Lear has produced an informative and succinct update on all things PA in Australia and notification on important international developments.
Have some news? Feel free to contact Sandi with feedback or contributions here
You can access the newsletter here
Congratulations James Cook University!
A new year has begun and 2012 will become a very important year for the Physician Assistant in Australia. James Cook University has commenced their PA program and on behalf of ASPA, I would like to pass on a very warm welcome to the newest Australian PA students. I am sure you will enjoy the next three years, there will be a lot of study to do however I am certain that you will find your training very interesting and rewarding. We also look forward to the JCU students taking an active part in their profession and joining ASPA to ensure that they become part of the development of our emerging profession.
As many of you will be aware, the Physician Assistant has been subject to a number of reviews conducted by Health Workforce Australia. These reviews are being tabled to the Australian health Ministers Advisory Council and the Physician Assistant will become part of the innovative strategy to improve the Australian Health Workforce.
It has been a long road since the Physician Assistant trials were conducted in Queensland and South Australia and the first Australian PA students commenced training. At times the progress has seemed unbearably slow, and many students have made a commitment to a profession which still does not officially exist and have face uncertainty as they made the decision to become pioneers and the first Australian PAs.
ASPA will continue to lobby for the introduction of the Physician Assistant. We need to raise our profile as the year unfolds. The more people know about PAs, the faster the understanding and the acceptance of the role will occur. By being positive role models, as graduated Physician Assistants and Physician Assistant students, we are providing our own advertising. The PA concept is certainly well known and already there have been a couple of advertisements for work specifically asking for PAs as applicants.
I look forward to providing more positive news regarding PAs over the coming months.
My best wishes
Ben Stock OAM
What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a trained health professional who provides healthcare services in conjunction with a Doctor. The PA extends and augments many of the medical services which traditionally have been provided by a Doctor and contributes by providing primary healthcare services to patients, with an overall aim of increasing access to healthcare for all Australians. This model of healthcare has been successfully implemented in the United States for over forty years, and has also extended to many other countries. Read more..
ASPA Inc is excited to report that Associate Memberships are now being taken.
After the overwhelming response from interested people seeking applications for Ordinary Memberships , we found that many enquiries also related directly to Associate membership in ASPA Inc.
As a result, ASPA Inc is please to advise that applications for Associate Membership is NOW OPEN!
For further information on how you can become an Ordinary or Associate member of ASPA Inc click here...
