What are Physician Assistants (PAs)?
A. Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs employed by the federal government are credentialed to practice. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA’s practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.
Related Questions
- Are there differences between Physician Assistants (PAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Nurse Midwives (CNMs)?
- What is my responsibility when supervising advance practice nurses (APNs) and physician assistants (PAs)?
- Can Advance Practice Nurses (i.e., NPs) or Physician Assistants (PAs) participate in the demonstration?
