Physician Associates work alongside doctors and GPs, providing medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. They are dependent practitioners working with a dedicated supervisor, but are able to work independently with appropriate support. The Physician Associate plays an important role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients. They work within a defined scope of practice and their roles and responsibilities include: take medical histories, perform physical examinations, Request and interpret diagnostic tests, Diagnose illnesses, Manage patients with long term illnesses, Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, Develop and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans and Health promotion and disease prevention advice.