Physician assistant (PA) has about 7,280,000 hits in Google. This shows that PA is nothing new and much has been written about it. But for many, when talk about PA, this profession is still link to medical assistant, nurses, physician and even doctors. So what actually is a PA and what does a PA do?

In brief, a PA is alike a doctor, or to be more specific, a PA helps to lessen the burden of a doctor, except that the cases a PA handles are not as complex as a doctor. This is logical given the shorter medical education a PA attends compare to a doctor. Hence, PA needs to be supervised by a doctor and PA routine duties include taking medical histories, examining and treating patients, ordering and analysing lab tests and X-rays, prescribing medication, diagnose and treat minor medical conditions and injuries, involving in day-to-day managerial duties, supervising subordinates. They even assist in surgery, and are allowed to prescribe drugs in some states. So, isn’t it the job scope of a PA very wide? It is indeed yes.

PAs can at special circumstances, act as the principal care providers. This is due to shortages in physicians in rural, inner city and other medically shortages areas. In order to improve access of health care for population in these areas, PAs will be based there and a visiting physician will only be present once a while, depending on the state laws. In the event of any doubt or complicated cases arise, PAs will consult the physicians immediately.

Though PAs only spend an average of 25 months studying, a shorter figure than duration spend in traditional medical education, numerous studies have shown that the quality of care given by PA is at the level of that given by physicians in comparable situations.

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