Clinical associates

Clinical associates are a category of health professional found in South Africa. They assess patients, make diagnoses, prescribe treatment and perform minor surgery under the supervision of a physician.

Registration with the Medical and Dentists Board requires a Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice degree[1] – a three-year program offered at the Walter Sisulu University since January 2008[2] and now also offered at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Pretoria.[3][4]

Similar health workers are called clinical officers in other parts of Africa, physician assistants in the US and feldshers in parts of the former Soviet Union – all grouped under "paramedical practitioners" in the International Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008 revision.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Health Professions Council of South Africa: Professional boards - Medical & Dental (and Medical Science) - http://www.hpcsa.co.za/board_meddent.php Archived 2011-03-24 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 15 March 2011.
  2. ^ Speech by Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the official launch of the Clinical Associate Programme in South Africa, Umthata, 18 August 2008 - http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2008/08082012451006.htm Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ SouthAfrica.info: Mid-level health professionals for South Africa - http://www.southafrica.info/about/health/clinical-associates.htm, accessed 15 March 2011.
  4. ^ University of the Witwatersrand: Clinical Associates - Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice - http://web.wits.ac.za/Academic/Health/Entities/RuralHealth/Clinical+Associates.htm Archived 2011-03-10 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 15 March 2011.
  5. ^ World Health Organization: Classifying health workers. Geneva, WHO, 2010.