Which statement best describes the relationship between a physician and a PA?

• A. A physician works in collaboration with a PA.
• B. A PA works independently without physician involvement.
• C. A physician administers vaccines to all patients.
• D. A physician assistant is a type of nurse practitioner.

Answer: (A)

In medical practice, the physician–PA relationship is collaborative team-based care. PAs are trained to provide medical services under physician supervision and in partnership with physicians. They can perform exams, diagnose, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and manage patient care within a defined scope of practice—set by state law and the supervising physician. The level of supervision can vary, ranging from direct oversight to regular consultation, depending on the setting. This makes the statement that a physician works in collaboration with a PA the best description. The other options misstate the relationship: PAs do not practice completely independently without physician involvement; vaccines aren’t the defining feature of how physicians and PAs relate, and PAs are not a type of nurse practitioner.