What is a PA?

With a projected physician shortage by 2020, Physician Assistants will provide a critical role in meeting the primary care needs of an aging population in the United States. Physician Assistant is one of today's fastest growing health care professions.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Trained mainly in primary care, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and may also write prescriptions. PAs practice in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology and surgery. They may also work in specialty fields such as cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics and emergency medicine. Find out more about the Physician Assistant Profession at the American Academy of Physician Assistant's web site.