Physician Assistant (PA):A Physician Assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who operates under the guidance of a licensed physician, either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The role of a PA emerged in the 1960s to address a shortage of healthcare providers. Dr. Eugene Stead, the head of the Department of Medicine at Duke University, initiated the first PA program to equip individuals to serve in rural areas facing a decline in medical professionals.Today, a "physician assistant" is clearly defined as a mid-level clinician who can provide medical care under the supervision of a licensed physician. Although the supervising doctor does not need to be physically present while the PA performs their tasks, there must always be a way for the PA to communicate with the physician. The PA must be proficient in their responsibilities, and the supervising physician must be authorized and skilled to oversee the relevant medical duties.General responsibilities of a PA include:- Conducting medical histories and physical exams, as PAs are typically qualified to perform these evaluations.- Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, as long as the PA is trained to understand the results and recommend suitable treatments.- Monitoring patients’ progress throughout their hospital stay or treatment in outpatient settings.PAs are capable of working in nearly all medical and surgical fields, given that they receive appropriate training and supervision. This includes assisting during surgeries.To become a PA, one must have at least a bachelor's degree, though many PAs now obtain a master's degree as part of their education. PA programs are accredited by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and each U.S. state has its own regulations regarding PA licensing and practice. Most states require PAs to pass the NCCPA certification exam.
