What is a PA?

If you receive an examination or see a health service provider (HCP), you may see a medical assistant (PA).

You may be wondering why you don’t see a “doctor”, and that’s a good question. PAS are licensed HCPs that work in all medical and surgical environments in the USA

PAS can diagnose and treat health conditions, similar to doctors. However, most state laws demand that PAS work with a doctor. This means that a doctor, a doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (do) must monitor or monitor patient care with the PA.

You need to know the following about PAS and how you fit your care team.

What is a doctor’s assistant?

Medical assistants are licensed and trained HCPs that deal directly with patients. PAS offer preventive health care and can diagnose and treat health conditions and injuries. Overall, PAS have general medical training, which means that they can manage a variety of diseases.

Most PAS work as partners with HCPs in various health -related institutions. These can include:

Hospitals
Clinics
Private practices
Nursing homes
Community health centers
Retail clinics

Is a PA a doctor?

No, a PA is not a doctor. However, PAS can help manage your health and do many of the same things that an HCP does. The big difference between PAS and doctors is the time you spend in school and training. A degree in medical assistants is a degree in Master and usually requires around three years of education in addition to a bachelor’s degree. The medical faculty ranges from seven to twelve years after primary school. PAS record less hours than doctors as a whole, but have education and skills to diagnose and treat health conditions.

What does a PA do?

The responsibilities of a PA can vary according to some different factors. The level of experiences, state laws and work environments – including the doctor who works with the PA – can determine what a PA does. Depending on the situation, the responsibilities of a PA can belong:

Take on medical history
Carry out exams
Order tests
Explain test results
Diagnosing health states
Development of treatment plans
Prescription medicine
Execution procedure
Support with the operation

Why do people go to a PA?

The concept of a PA began in the 1960s as a way for providers to meet patients’ demand for a lack of doctor. Nowadays, many factors also contribute to a lack of doctors to ask the patients. The lack of access to high -quality healthcare is a serious problem for many people in the USA – especially for people with color and people who live in rural areas.

Here PAS can help fill the emptiness and why PAS are in demand. In addition to general medicine, PAS with specialists can work together in many different medical areas. These can include:

cardiology
Emergency medicine
Family medicine
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Obstetrics and gynecology
radiology

Can PAS prescribe medication?

Yes. PAS can prescribe medication and develop treatment plans based on their healthcare system. State laws determine which medication can prescribe PAS. For example, PAS in Kentucky can prescribe non -controlled substances, but no controlled substances.

Nurse doctor against medical assistant

Nurse practitioners (NPS) and PAS have similar jobs, but their responsibilities can vary depending on the factors, including state laws and training. Both require at least one master’s degree, but NPs are trained in certain areas such as women’s health or pediatrics. PAS are trained with a medical model, similar to doctors, to deal with more general health conditions. In addition, most NPs can see patients in the USA without working with a doctor, but most PAS have to work with a doctor to practice medicine.

How does a PA fit into my health team?

Like a doctor, imagine a PA as a point of contact for the support of the healthcare system you need. PAS can manage your treatment plan, prescribe and refill medication and pursue your general well -being and health. In many cases, you will only see your PA, who works with a doctor to maintain a health plan suitable for you. PAS can also connect it to other HCPs if you need a specialist.

Conclusion: PAS are HCPs that can diagnose and treat diseases.

This educational resource was created with the support of Pfizer, a healthy member of the corporate Advisory Council.

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