What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are academically prepared and highly skilled healthcare professionals educated in the medical model to practice medicine within a physician directed and patient-centered healthcare team.   In a formal practice arrangement with a physician, PAs practice medicine which includes obtaining medical histories and performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic tests, providing therapeutic procedures, prescribing medications, and educating and counselling patients.  Although educated and qualified as generalists, PAs receive additional education, training, and experience on the job and may work in primary care or specialty areas in a wide variety of practice settings.