A Physician Assistant (PA) is a licensed and highly skilled healthcare professional who practices medicine under the direction and supervision of a physician
. PAs are integral members of the healthcare team in many hospitals and clinical practices, providing direct patient care and assisting with various medical tasks
. Some key aspects of a PA's role include:
- Education : PAs typically hold an advanced degree, such as a Master's or Doctorate, and have completed an accredited PA program
- Patient Care : PAs work with patients of all ages in various specialty and primary care areas, diagnosing and treating common illnesses and performing minor procedures
- Team-Based Approach : PAs are often part of a team-based approach to healthcare, collaborating with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care
- Access to Care : PAs play a critical role in increasing access to quality healthcare for rural and underserved populations, as well as those in specialties outside of primary care
The PA profession was created in the 1960s to improve and expand healthcare, and since then, it has grown significantly
. There are more than 168,300 practicing PAs in the U.S., engaging in over 500 million patient interactions each year
. PAs are trained in the same medical model as doctors and receive extensive clinical education, making them valuable members of the healthcare team
