What is a physician assistant (PA)?

• A. A type of nurse practitioner with a restricted scope of practice.
• B. Licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting.
• C. A physician who specializes in assisting during surgery.
• D. A medical researcher focused on clinical trials.

Answer: (B)

Physician assistants are licensed clinicians who practice medicine across a wide range of specialties and settings. After completing an accredited PA program (typically master’s level) and passing national certification, PAs work under physician supervision and collaborate within a medical team. They perform histories and physicals, order and interpret tests, diagnose, develop and manage treatment plans, and, where allowed, prescribe medications. They can work in primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, inpatient and outpatient clinics, and rural or underserved areas, helping expand access to care. They are distinct from nurse practitioners and from physicians who specialize in surgery; a PA can assist in many areas but is not a surgeon or a researcher. The description of licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting best captures what a PA is.