Physician Assistant (PA):A Physician Assistant (PA) acts as a mid-level healthcare provider, operating under the guidance of a licensed medical doctor (MD) or an osteopathic physician (DO). The role of PAs emerged in the 1960s in response to the increasing demand for healthcare professionals and improved access to medical care. Dr. Eugene Stead, who was the head of the Department of Medicine at Duke University, initiated the first PA program to equip individuals for work in rural areas experiencing a shortage of doctors and nurses.Today, the term "physician assistant" specifically refers to a mid-level practitioner who can provide medical care under the oversight of a licensed physician. Although the supervising doctor does not need to be physically present while the PA performs their duties, there must always be a means of communication between them. PAs must be proficient in their tasks, and their supervising physician needs to be licensed and qualified for the procedures being carried out.Typical responsibilities of a general PA include:- Conducting medical histories and physical examinations.- Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, provided they are skilled in doing so, and delivering the necessary treatments.- Monitoring patients throughout their hospital stay or clinical treatment process.PAs are capable of working across nearly all medical and surgical specialties, as long as they receive adequate training and supervision, which includes assisting in surgeries.To become a PA, one must possess at least a bachelor's degree. Although a master's degree is not yet mandatory, the trend is moving toward PAs holding a master's level qualification. PA training programs receive accreditation from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Each U.S. state has its own specific licensing and practice regulations for PAs, with most requiring the successful completion of the certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
