Ria Agarwal BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, PGDip Physician Assistant Studies
Senior Lecturer
Summary
As the Physician Associate role is relatively new in this country, I am passionate about finding opportunities to explain the role of the Physician Associate and how we can benefit different sectors of healthcare. I have worked as a Physician Associate in General Practice since November 2013. I am on the sub-committee on two boards within the Faculty of Physician Associates, under the Royal College of Physicians.
About
The combination of clinical and College-based experience has given me the insight into the relevant areas of knowledge the Physician Associate students need to work in this innovative new role. I lecture in Consultation Skills and Assessment, which gives me the opportunity to teach students the importance of taking a thorough history, in addition to helping them practise a history in their Problem based Learning cases. I really enjoy working in General Practice as it enables me to remain generalist by seeing 'a bit of everything', although I find Mental Health particularly interesting, and prior to being a Physician Associate worked as a Healthcare Assistant on Psychiatry wards.
Teaching
Module leading for the Consultation Skills and Assessment module, Eyes ENT Dermatology module, and writing material such as Problem Based Learning, and formative OSCEs and MCQs.
I lecture in Consultation Skills and Assessment, on the PgDip Physician Associate Studies Course
Publications
Journal articles
Hoskin, J., & Agarwal, R. (2021). Remote consultations for Physician Associates in primary care: qualitative feedback from a regional cohort study. Future Healthcare Journal, 8 (3), 1-5. http://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0023
Agarwal, R. (2021). The integral role Physician Associates play in supporting patients and general practice teams. N/A. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/blogs/detail/physician-associates-blog/2021/07/09/the-integral-role-physician-associates-play-in-supporting-their-wider-teams
Agarwal, R., & Hoskin, J. (2021). Clinical supervision of physician associates; who, what and how is it done? Future Healthcare Journal. http://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2020-0241
Agarwal, R., & Hoskin, J. (2021). A different kind of ‘safety net’ for the new members of our workforce. BJGP Life. https://bjgplife.com/2021/02/16/a-different-kind-of-safety-net-for-the-new-members-of-our-primary-care-workforce/
Agarwal, R. (2020). Life as a Physician Associate BP (before primary care preceptorships). BJGP Life. https://bjgplife.com/2020/11/27/life-as-a-physician-associate-bp-before-primary-care-preceptorships/
Hoskin, J., & Agarwal, R. (2020). Preceptorship scheme for newly qualified physician associates working in general practice in Sheffield. Clinical Medicine, 20 (6), e255-e259. http://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2020-0221
Agarwal, R., & Mitchell, S. (2020). Viewpoint: A Proposed role for physicians associates (PAS) in palliative care. BJGP Life. https://bjgplife.com/2020/11/02/viewpoint-a-proposed-role-for-physician-associates-pas-in-palliative-care/
Other activities
I am a Careers Mentor for undergraduate students at Sheffield University. I have been supporting the Faculty of Physician Associates in reviewing the Matrix of conditions in a sub-group in order to modernise it and make it more relevant to current medical concepts, and am currently in an Examinations and Pre-registration sub-groups to support good practise in these areas for Physician Associate students.
Media
Before coming to Sheffield Hallam in 2015 on a part time basis, Ria worked as a Physician Associate in General Practice. Ria is a member of the sub-committee on two boards within the Faculty of Physician Associates, under the Royal College of Physicians.
Ria has been interviewed by Ben Gowland from Ockham Healthcare in a podcast regarding her clinical role (episode 40, November 2016). Ria also briefly features in a video on 'A career as a Physician Associate' on the Health Careers page on Youtube, discussing the benefits of working as a Physician Associate.