Editing Physician assistant (section)

=== India ===
The first PA program in India was established in 1992 with a focus on expanding cardiovascular specialty .<ref>{{cite journal |title=Physician assistant education in India |first1=Luppo |last1=Kuilman |first2=Gomathi |last2=Sundar |last3=Cherian |first3=KM |journal=J Physician Assist Educ |date=January 2012 |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=56–9 |doi=10.1097/01367895-201223030-00010|pmid=23072073 }}</ref> Since then, multiple programs have developed (~130), most of them at baccalaureate level with four master's level programs.<ref>Muraleedharan M, Sundar G, Smalley S, Begg PA, Philip DC. Exploring Potential Challenges in Implementing a Standardized Curriculum for the Physician Associate Program in India: Insights From Stakeholder Discussions. J Physician Assist Educ. 2024 Sep 19. doi: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000624. Epub ahead of print. PMID 39312197.</ref> As on 2024, an estimated 10,000 PAs have graduated in India. With the enactment of the National Commission of Allied and Healthcare professions Act in 2021 in the Parliament, the profession is a recognised one. Physician Assistants in India are now referred to as 'Physician Associates.' Formation of a council for Allied and Healthcare professions is underway at the National level and in the different states.<ref>https://ncahp.abdm.gov.in/</ref> Efforts towards regulation of the profession, standardization of the curriculum, accreditation of training institutes etc., are also underway(As January 2025).<ref>Muraleedharan M, Chandak AO, Chatterjee S, Shivakumar R, Swapna N. PAs in India: A survey report on qualifications, deployment, specialties, and job satisfaction. JAAPA. 2024 Apr 1;37(4):1-4. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0001007372.08019.3a. Epub 2024 Mar 26. PMID 38531039.</ref>