A physician assistant or physician associate (PA) is a type of
mid-level health care provider.
In North America PAs may diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and may serve as a principal
healthcare provider. PAs are required in many states to have a direct agreement with a
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 ...
.
In the United States and Canada, PAs are certified by their respective certifying bodies. The educational model was initially based upon the accelerated training of physicians during the shortage of qualified medical providers during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
. In the UK, PAs were introduced in 2003. They support GPs, but require oversight from a physician.
Nomenclature
The occupational title of physician assistant and physician associate originated in the United States in 1967 at
Duke University. The role has been adopted in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland, each with their own nomenclature.
Services
Physician assistants or associates may:
*conduct patient interviews and take medical histories
*conduct physical examinations
*order and interpret diagnostic tests and exams
*diagnose illnesses
*formulate treatment plans
*coordinate and manage care
*perform medical procedures
*prescribe medications
*conduct clinical research
*provide patient counselling
*offer advice on preventative health care
*first assist in surgery
Workplaces
Physician assistants or associates train to work in settings such as
hospitals,
clinic
A clinic (or outpatient clinic or ambulatory care clinic) is a health facility that is primarily focused on the care of outpatients. Clinics can be privately operated or publicly managed and funded. They typically cover the primary care nee ...
s and other types of health facilities, or virtually via
telemedicine. PAs are commonly found working in teaching and research as well as hospital administration and other clinical environments. PAs may practice in
primary care
Primary care is the day-to-day healthcare given by a health care provider. Typically this provider acts as the first contact and principal poi