r/Physicianassociate

Hello everyone,

I’m considering the Physician Associate (PA) pathway in the UK and would appreciate honest guidance from current students or practising PAs.

• Is Access to HE (Health/Science) generally accepted as an entry route for PA courses?
• With recent GMC regulation changes and ongoing NHS discussions, how do you realistically see the future scope and stability of the PA role?
• Would you still recommend the PA route in 2026?
• Also, does prior healthcare experience (e.g. 5 years in UK care sector) strengthen applications significantly?

Trying to make a realistic decision based on long-term stability and family commitments.

Would really appreciate genuine insights. Thank you.

Projectile vomiting in an infant.

A child with persistent fever, conjunctivitis, and cracked lips.

Intermittent abdominal pain with currant jelly stool.

A descending maculopapular rash starting at the face.

Pediatric questions on board exams always seem straightforward… until they’re not.

I turned some of these high-yield pediatric “gotchas” into an interactive crossword-style challenge because honestly, studying feels less painful when it’s gameified.

Curious which pediatric diagnoses people still mix up under pressure.

Hey everyone,

I’m a practicing PA-C and recently built something I wish I had when I was studying for boards.

It’s a free PANCE/PANRE baseline exam that doesn’t just give you a score; it maps out exactly where you’re losing points (by system + topic), so you can stop studying everything blindly and actually focus on your weak areas.

Just trying to create something genuinely useful for PA students and PAs preparing for boards/recert.

👉 www.beyondpance.com/free-practice-exams/⁠

If anyone here is studying right now and wants to try it, I’d seriously appreciate honest feedback, good or bad. Still improving things and want to make it as high-yield as possible.

Also curious:

What’s been the most frustrating part of your PANCE prep?

Do you feel like most resources actually show you what to fix, or just give more questions?

Appreciate this community 🙌