What is a Physician's Assistant?
A Respected Profession Prospective P.A.s can choose from among 306 accredited master's degree level programs in the U.S. Programs take three academic years or 27 months, and P.A. candidates are also required to engage in 2,000 hours of clinical rotations as well as pass a certification exam, among other requirements. P.A.s practice in every specialty and work setting. Being a physician associate is regularly ranked among the top 3 healthcare, STEM, and overall jobs in the U.S.
What is a Physician's Assistant?
A physician assistant is also known as a mid-level practitioner. A P.A. (physician associate/physician assistant) is a licensed clinician who practices medicine in every specialty and setting.
Key Points:
- Exploring the role, history, education, and responsibilities of Physician Assistants.
Trusted, rigorously educated, and trained healthcare professionals, P.A.s are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.
A Vital Role
Established in 1967, the P.A. profession currently has more than 168,300 practitioners in the U.S., engaging in more than 500 million patient interactions each year.
History of AAPA & the P.A. Profession
The PA profession was created to improve and expand healthcare; the first P.A. class graduated from the Duke University PA program on October 6, 1967.
In 1968, the American Academy of Physician Associates (formerly the American Academy of Physician Assistants) was established and incorporated in the state of North Carolina.
A Respected Profession
Prospective P.A.s can choose from among 306 accredited master's degree level programs in the U.S. Programs take three academic years or 27 months, and P.A. candidates are also required to engage in 2,000 hours of clinical rotations as well as pass a certification exam, among other requirements.
P.A.s practice in every specialty and work setting. Being a physician associate is regularly ranked among the top 3 healthcare, STEM, and overall jobs in the U.S.
Education
P.A.s are educated at the master's degree level. There are more than 304 PA programs in the country, and admission is highly competitive, requiring a bachelor's degree and completion of basic and behavioral sciences courses as prerequisites.
Incoming PA students bring an average of more than 3,000 hours of direct patient contact experience, having worked as paramedics, athletic trainers, or medical assistants, for example. P.A. programs are about 27 months (three academic years) and include classroom instruction and over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations.
A PA's medical education and training are rigorous. The PA school curriculum is modeled on the medical school curriculum that involves both didactic and clinical education training.
In the didactic phase, students take basic medical sciences, behavioral sciences, and behavioral ethics courses.
In the clinical phase, students complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations in medical and surgical disciplines, including family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
P.A.s' specific duties depend on the setting in which they work, their experience level, specialty, and state laws.
Responsibilities
- Take medical histories
- Conduct physical exams
- Diagnose and treat illness
- Order and interpret tests
- Develop treatment plans
- Prescribe medication
- Counsel on preventive care
- Perform procedures
- Assist in surgery
- Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes
- Do clinical research
More than 168,300 P.A.s practice in every medical setting in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They work in hospitals, medical offices, community health centers, nursing homes, retail clinics, educational facilities, workplace clinics, and correctional institutions.
P.A.s also serve in the nation's uniformed services and work for other federal government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs.