What is physician supervision?

• A. The PA handles liability independently.
• B. Legal liability is assumed by supervising physician.
• C. The supervisor does not share liability.
• D. Liability is shared equally between PA and physician.

Answer: (B)

Physician supervision means the physician who oversees a PA is legally responsible for the care the PA provides when that care is within the PA’s scope and under the physician’s oversight. The supervising physician bears primary liability for patient outcomes tied to the PA’s practice because it’s the physician’s duty to ensure appropriate supervision, correct delegation, and adherence to standards of care. The PA can still be liable for their own malpractice, but the physician assumes responsibility for the supervision relationship. Statements implying the PA bears all liability, or that the supervisor never shares liability, or that liability is always split evenly, don’t align with how supervision and accountability are structured in practice.