The physician assistant degree program aims at solving the dearth of trained manpower in this segment.
Is there space for expertise wedged between the professions of physicians and nurses? What was once a blank arena in the clinical setting has been successfully turned into a critical specialty by BITS Pilani.
Into the 16th year since launching the B.S. (Physician Assistant) programme in collaboration with Academy of Medical Sciences under Madras Medical Mission, BITS Pilani has positioned the innovative course to generate a base of trained manpower which w ould take a share of workload off the backs of doctors and nurses.
Going by the estimation that one doctor requires at least eight support staff, the healthcare sector in the country would need human resource in the vicinity of 96 lakh personnel.
The importance of the course, which is approved by foreign Universities, lies in supplying assistants who would alleviate to an extent the skewed doctor support staff ratio in hospitals across the country.
The diverse course curriculum includes rudimentary microbiology, laboratory diagnosis and radiology.
Under the work integrated learning model adopted for the program for Plus Two pass-outs, candidates have to undergo the entire duration at the hospital.
Last week, BITS and MMM signed a Memorandum of Understanding to renew the programme that has churned out hundreds of qualified personnel. Short term certification courses for working professionals is also being planned.
The two institutions conduct an eight semester B.Sc. Physician Assistant Degree programme (4 years) for class 12 science stream students, a four-semester M.Phil. (2 years) for PA graduates, a three-semester degree in cardiac sciences and even a four-semester Ph.D. in medical sciences.
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