Which statement best describes the agency relationship?

• A. The PA acts independently with no physician input.
• B. It is a legal and professional arrangement where the PA acts on behalf of a supervising physician with consent, under the physician's control and authority.
• C. It is a temporary, informal coaching relationship.
• D. It refers to the patient's relationship with the PA for consistent care.

Answer: (B)

In healthcare, the agency relationship is a formal supervisory arrangement in which a physician delegates patient-care tasks to a physician assistant and acts on behalf of the physician within a defined scope. This rests on the physician’s consent and ongoing control and authority over the PA’s practice. Because of this arrangement, the PA works under the physician’s supervision, performing duties such as history-taking, exams, ordering tests, diagnosing, and treating within agreed protocols. The physician maintains responsibility for the care plan and can intervene or modify decisions as needed, and their liability covers the actions taken by the PA within that supervisory framework. This differs from independent practice, a casual coaching relationship, or the patient’s own relationship with the PA, which do not establish the same formal delegation and accountability structure.