No abstract

As the PA profession develops internationally, few mechanisms let PAs move from country to country for clinical practice opportunities. The first author of this paper has worked in the civilian health sectors in two countries, the Netherlands and South Africa, and taught PA students in South Africa and Australia. He reports on PA development in each country and reflects on and compares his professional and clinical experiences.

As the PA profession moves into its 50th year and develops globally, its flexibility and underlying principles make it adaptable to a wide range of healthcare needs and governmental priorities. A key feature of effective PA development is adapting the profession to the needs of each country rather than adopting it exactly as it has developed in the United States. The successful adaptation of new PA models must assure that the new profession meets a societal need, such as increasing healthcare access for specific populations or geographic areas.