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WHAT IS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT?
A physician assistant, or PA is
a qualified medical professional who practices medicine with the
supervision of a licensed physician. The concept of the profession
originated in the early to mid 1960's as a way to enhance medical care to
people residing in medically underserved areas. The care of the
underserved remains an ongoing goal of the profession.
Physician assistants provide
direct medical care to patients. They work in all 50 states, Guam, and the
District of Columbia in a wide range of medical settings, including;
physician offices, military and Veterans Administration installations,
nursing homes, industrial health and correctional institutions. They
always work in conjunction with a physician and can have a wide array of
responsibilities including:
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medical history taking
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performing physical
examinations
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ordering or performing lab and
other diagnostic tests
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synthesizing data to make a
proper diagnosis
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developing a treatment plan
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performing health related
counseling
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performing various procedures
such as casting and suturing
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assisting in surgery
PA's can prescribe medication
in the majority of states. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a
strong demand for physician assistants in the future.
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