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What do physician assistants do, and how do I become one?
Hello, I am a rising junior in high school who is interested in going into the medical field. However, I don't know what I want to be yet. I am currently looking into becoming a PA. #medicine #medical #doctor #healthcare #physician
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Christopher’s Answer
A physician's assistant helps doctors see patients. In todays medical industry, doctors need to see many people every single day. A PA helps by seeing many of the patients in place of the doctor having to see them. The doctor is still in charge of the major decisions but the PA is a vital member of the medical team. One small difference is that a nurse practitioner or NP can prescribe medicine while a PA is not able to prescribe medicine.
What is really great about the medical profession is that you can plan to go medical school and decide along the way what level of professional you want to be. There are so many options, PA, NP, MD, anesthesiology, x-ray technician, nurse, physical therapy, and many others.
While you are in school, you want to focus on biology, general science and mathematics. These are core classes that will prepare you well for a career in the medical field.
What is really great about the medical profession is that you can plan to go medical school and decide along the way what level of professional you want to be. There are so many options, PA, NP, MD, anesthesiology, x-ray technician, nurse, physical therapy, and many others.
While you are in school, you want to focus on biology, general science and mathematics. These are core classes that will prepare you well for a career in the medical field.
Updated
Neeraj’s Answer
A physician's assistant is a generalist advanced practice provider which practices medicine. PAs may practice autonomously and independently of physicians or collaboratively with physicians depending on the legislation in the state or province in which the PA practices. In cases where PA collaboration is required, physicians do not need to be on-site with PAs, and collaboration or supervision often occurs via electronic means when consults are necessary. Their scope of practice varies by jurisdiction and healthcare setting.
As of May 2019, there were 243 accredited PA programs in the United States, and dozens more in development, represented by the Physician Assistant Education Association.[36] Most educational programs are graduate programs leading to the award of master's degrees in either Physician Assistant Studies, Health Science (Master of Health Science), or Medical Science (MMSc), and require a bachelor's degree and Graduate Record Examination or Medical College Admission Test scores for entry. The majority of PA programs in the United States utilize the CASPA application for selecting students.[36] Professional licensure is regulated by the medical boards of the individual states. Physician assistant students train at medical schools and academic medical centers across the country.
Physician assistant education is based on medical education although unlike medical school which lasts four years plus a specialty-specific residency, PA training is usually 2 to 3 years of full-time graduate study like most master's degrees. The training of PA education consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in medical and behavioral sciences, such as anatomy, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, hematology, pathology, genetics, clinical medicine, and physical diagnosis, followed by clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and geriatric medicine, as well as elective rotations. Unlike physicians, who must complete a minimum of three years of residency after completion of medical school, PAs are not required to complete such residencies after they complete their schooling. There are residency programs in certain specialties for PAs who choose to continue formal education in such a format.
As of May 2019, there were 243 accredited PA programs in the United States, and dozens more in development, represented by the Physician Assistant Education Association.[36] Most educational programs are graduate programs leading to the award of master's degrees in either Physician Assistant Studies, Health Science (Master of Health Science), or Medical Science (MMSc), and require a bachelor's degree and Graduate Record Examination or Medical College Admission Test scores for entry. The majority of PA programs in the United States utilize the CASPA application for selecting students.[36] Professional licensure is regulated by the medical boards of the individual states. Physician assistant students train at medical schools and academic medical centers across the country.
Physician assistant education is based on medical education although unlike medical school which lasts four years plus a specialty-specific residency, PA training is usually 2 to 3 years of full-time graduate study like most master's degrees. The training of PA education consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in medical and behavioral sciences, such as anatomy, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, hematology, pathology, genetics, clinical medicine, and physical diagnosis, followed by clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and geriatric medicine, as well as elective rotations. Unlike physicians, who must complete a minimum of three years of residency after completion of medical school, PAs are not required to complete such residencies after they complete their schooling. There are residency programs in certain specialties for PAs who choose to continue formal education in such a format.
Updated
Kruti’s Answer
The scope of physician assistant responsibilities typically includes examining and counseling patients, diagnosing illnesses and injuries, requesting diagnostic tests and interpreting results, creating treatment plans, prescribing medications, performing medical procedures and assisting in surgery. Obtain a bachelor’s degree and complete common prerequisite courses and complete patient care experience hours.
Updated
Richard’s Answer
PAs can have any college degree (as long as they satisfy the prerequisites) then go to 2 years of PA school.
PAs can have a variety of jobs.
I am a radiologist who works with 5 PAs
They spend 1/3 of their day evaluating patients for procedures, completing a history and physical on each patient.
The other 2/3 of the day is performing radiology procedures such as:
Barium studies, like upper gi series or barium enema
Ultrasound guided biopsies of thyroid and liver
CT guided biopsies of lung and liver
CT guided drainages of abdominal abscess
Placing central lines, dialysis catheters and PIC lines.
PAs can have a variety of jobs.
I am a radiologist who works with 5 PAs
They spend 1/3 of their day evaluating patients for procedures, completing a history and physical on each patient.
The other 2/3 of the day is performing radiology procedures such as:
Barium studies, like upper gi series or barium enema
Ultrasound guided biopsies of thyroid and liver
CT guided biopsies of lung and liver
CT guided drainages of abdominal abscess
Placing central lines, dialysis catheters and PIC lines.