History of the profession
The first German physician assistant (PA) programme with a bachelor degree (Bachelor of Science) began in 2005 at Steinbeis University in Berlin. Since then, the profession has grown steadily, so that there are now 26 universities in Germany that offer the PA Bachelor’s degree programme.
In 2021, the first Master’s degree programme ‘Physician Assistant` (Master of Science) was introduced at the Fliedner University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf.
The German University Association Physician Assistant (Deutscher Hochschulverband Physician Assistant , DHPA) was founded in 2018 and represents all German universities with current or planned PA programmes. DHPA’s goals are to create a professional exchange between universities with PA programmes and educators.
Education
PA students usually study for 3-4 years in the Bachelor’s programme and 1.5-2.5 years in the Master’s programme.
The Bachelor’s degree programmes differ in their structure. On the one hand, primary qualifying degree programmes are offered, i.e. no prior training in the medical field is required. This is usually a full-time degree programme. On the other hand, there are also universities that require a completed apprenticeship, called “Ausbildung”, in the medical field. There is then the possibility of a part-time degree programme.
The Master’s degree programme is usually part-time.
The German PA curriculum is based on the recommendations made in 2017 by the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung).
The number of students per year is growing rapidly. In 2024, Germany had 5081 PA students. A total of 2454 students have successfully completed the Bachelor’s degree programme and 22 students have successfully completed the Master’s degree programme (data collection: 2024).
Entry Criteria
The main pathway to enter this type of program is by the applicant will earning the highest degree, known as Abitur, from secondary school and complete an internship in a hospital. Having 3 years of clinical experience from a practical based, clinical program, called “Ausbildung” is not compulsory at all universities. Types of clinical programs include nursing, physiotherapy and operating room technician as well as others.
Another pathway for entry is by obtaining the “Fachhochschulreife” (advanced technical college certificate) degree from secondary school. Applicants without a university entrance qualification must provide proof of at least three years of professional experience after completing their medical apprenticeship.
Professional Licensure:
There is currently no compulsory national certification examination at the end of the PA programme.
However, the DHPA has been offering a nationally standardised PA exam since 2023, which can be taken voluntarily. After successfully passing the exam, a corresponding certificate is awarded.
Scope of Practice
PAs can work in all medical specialties and in all medical settings. The scope of practice is delegation based depending on the clinical experience of the PA and role of the supervising physician. PAs carry out the following delegable medical activities in their profession:
- take medical histories of patients
- carry out physical examinations and instrumental diagnostics, e.g. sonography
- prepare treatment plans in co-operation with the physicians
- support with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- request and interpret diagnostic tests
- interprofessional communication
- assistance during surgery
- managing patients in a variety of acute and non-acute settings
PAs are not allowed to order diagnostic tests with ionizing radiation, prescribe medication, make a treatment clarification, give blood transfusion or perform a transplantation.
Financing Education
Half of the currently available PA programs are offered at private universities with out-of-pocket tuition fees ranging between 400€ and 600€ per month and the other half at publicly funded state universities.
Job opportunities
Due to the wide range of employment opportunities for PAs, both in hospitals and in the outpatient sector in specialist and GP practices, there is a large number of jobs on offer.
Maintaining Role / Continuing Practice
At this time, there is no formal requirement for continuing education.
Website: Deutscher Hochschulverband Physician Assistant
Contact person: Prof. Dr. med. habil. Peter Heistermann
