Physician assistants
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| Occupation | |
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| Names |
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Occupation type
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Professional |
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Activity sectors
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Medicine, Healthcare |
| Description | |
| Competencies | The ethics, art and science of medicine, analytical skills, critical thinking, communication |
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Education required
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Any of the following:
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Any of the following:
A physician assistant (US) or physician associate (UK) is a healthcare professional who practices medicine as a part of a healthcare team with collaborating physicians and other providers. In the United States, PAs are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine. A certified PA may use "C" at the end of his/her credentials. PAs are trained using the medical model and complete these qualifications in less time than a traditional medical degree. The PA education model is based on the fast-track training of doctors during World War II.
PAs are concerned with preventing and treating human illness and injury by providing a broad range of health care services with a collaborating physician. Their scope of practice can vary according to jurisdiction and healthcare setting. Accordingly, their work may include conducting physical exams, ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, care coordination, performing procedures, prescribing medications, clinical research, advising on preventive health care, and doing first assist in surgery.
The occupational title originated in the United States in the 1960s; similar occupations outside the US include clinical officers in parts of Africa and feldshers in countries of the former Soviet Union.
Physician assistants or physician associates (PAs) may undertake tasks such as: obtain medical histories, perform examinations and procedures, order treatments, diagnose diseases, prescribe medication, order and interpret diagnostic tests, care coordination, clinical research, refer patients to specialists as needed, and first assist in surgery. They train to work in settings such as hospitals, clinics and other types of health facilities, or in academic administration, and exercise autonomy in medical decision making. PAs practice primary care or medical specialties, including emergency medicine, surgery, cardiology, etc. according to a legal scope of practice that may vary across jurisdictions. A period of extensive clinical training precedes obtaining a license to practice as a physician assistant, and similar to physician training but shorter in duration, includes all systems of the human body. Renewal of licensure is necessary every few years, varying by jurisdiction. PAs may also complete residency training, similar to physicians' residencies but significantly shorter, in fields such as: OB/GYN, emergency medicine, critical care, orthopaedics, neurology, surgery, and other medical disciplines.
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