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A Summary Of The Physicians Assistant Position
In many respects there is very little difference in roles between a Physician and a Physician’s Assistant. During the 1960′s, it was noted that there were insufficient primary care physicians especially in certain geographical areas in the United States. Fueled by the success achieved by US Army medics during World War II who had shorter, more compact training, the position of Physician’s Assistant came into being.
Most training programs prefer applicants to have prior medical training of some sort, with most applicants having studied for their B.A. Training usually lasts for two to three years, as opposed to regular physician’s training which requires four years of study followed by three years of residency. Training is rigorous and comprehensive. Certification, required in order for a PA to legally practice medicine, is gained after passing an examination at the end of their studies. In order to keep their certification, a PA must log one hundred hours of continuing study every two years, and take a re-certifying exam every six years.
In summary, a P.A. practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. However, this supervision does not have to be direct; it can be under email or phone supervision. P.A.’s can perform most of the normal duties of a regular physician; they examine and diagnose patients, perform medical tests and treat patients including being able to prescribe medicine in most states. Working in conjunction with a medical practitioner, they may specialize in fields such as surgery, gynecology, pediatrics or any other major field of medicine. Additional courses may need to be taken in order to qualify for employment in more specialized fields.
A P.A. will not attempt to diagnose or treat cases that are outside of their level of expertise, and as part of their initial training they are taught to recognize these situations. Cases that are outside of their abilities are referred to their supervising physician, who usually handles the more complex cases or those that need treatment that is not able to be given by a P.A.
It is expected that the need for Physician’s Assistance will continue to grow with the increasing demands that are being place on the health care industry. A perfect opportunity for those trained in other sectors of the medical field, such as nurses or medics, the program is ideal for those who cannot afford the time required for a full physician training course yet who wish to work in the medical sector at this level.