The
Orthopaedic
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics ( alternatively spelt orthopaedics), is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal ...
(also spelled
orthopedic
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics ( alternatively spelt orthopaedics), is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal ...
) Physician Assistant (OPA-C) is a professional
physician
A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...
extender (also termed "mid-level") who has met the criteria set forth by the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician Assistants and has passed a certification examination, and maintains certification by complying with the regulations of the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician Assistants.
[{{cite journal, vauthors=Larson EH, Coerver DA, Wick KH, Ballweg RA , title=Physician assistants in orthopedic practice: a national study. , journal=J Allied Health , year= 2011 , volume= 40 , issue= 4 , pages= 174–80 , pmid=22138871 ] This profession is not to be confused with
physician assistant
A physician assistant or physician associate (PA) is a type of Mid-level practitioner, mid-level health care provider. In North America PAs may diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and may serve as a pri ...
s which are a separate and distinct provider.
References
Health care occupations