What does a physician assistant do?
A PA performs a wide range of medical tasks, inducing diagnosing and treating health conditions. PAs can conduct physical exams, order testing, and prescribe medication like medical doctors.
The benefits of seeing a PA over a doctor include better access to care and cost. According to the American Association of Physician Associates, 92% of people who saw a PA for care reported that seeing a PA made it easier to obtain an appointment for medical attention. Because PAs must work under the supervision of a physician, PA visits are covered by most health insurance plans.
What is a PA appointment?
A PA appointment is similar to a primary care visit. During your PA appointment, the PA obtains your medical history and discusses the reason for your visit. They assess your symptoms and perform a physical exam to identify possible causes for your condition. They may also order diagnostic tests to obtain a clear diagnosis.
Once your PA has established a diagnosis, they work with you to create and implement a treatment plan including lifestyle changes, integrative therapies, or medication to address your condition.
What kind of patients do physician assistants see?
PAs see a variety of patients depending on their area of focus and partnering physician. For example, a PA who works with a primary care physician will see adults and children with general medical issues such as ear infections, flu and colds, strep throat, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
PAs who work in a specialized area see patients with conditions related to their area of expertise and training. A PA working with an OBGYN will see mostly pregnant women, and an oncology PA will see patients dealing with various forms of cancer.
Is a physician assistant basically a doctor?
Although PA can diagnose and treat many of the same conditions as medical doctors, they are not the same. Unlike doctors, PAs do not have to obtain a medical doctorate (MD) qualification to practice.
They must have a master’s degree and complete a Physician Assistant program, which takes about three years and requires over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. Finally, a PA must obtain a PA license to practice and partner with a supervising physician.
Can a physician assistant see patients without a physician present?
PAs can see patients without a physician in the room. According to the American Medical Association, direct physician supervision is required by 47 states in the U.S., and 20 states require a physician co-signature on PA procedures, prescriptions, and treatment plans. However, no state requires a physician to be present in a room when a PA is delivering care to a patient.
What can PAs not do?
PAs are unable to perform surgical procedures on patients. Some PAs specialize in assisting during surgical procedures. These surgical PAs work closely with doctors and surgeons; however, they are not licensed to perform surgery independently.
In addition to surgery, PAs are generally not equipped to help patients with rare or specialized conditions. Doctors and specialists have more training in these areas and provide more thorough care.
