Table of Contents
- Overview
- Prevention
- Images
Information
HISTORY OF THE PROFESSION
The first Physician Assistant (PA) training program was founded in 1965 at Duke University by Dr. Eugene Stead.
Most programs require applicants to have at least 2 years of college experience. Applicants also need some experience in the health care setting, such as an emergency medical technician, ambulance attendant, health educator, licensed practical nurse, or associate-degree nurse. Because of the competitive environment, the average PA student has a bachelor's degree in some field and about 4 years of health-related experience. Educational programs for PAs are typically associated with colleges of medicine. They vary from 25 to 27 months in length.
The first PA students were mostly military medics (or corpsmen). They were able to expand on the knowledge and experience they received in the military to move into a role in primary care. Over the years, the profession has become less male dominated. About 58% of PAs today are women. The physician assistant role has allowed PAs to perform tasks previously only performed by doctors: history taking,
Numerous studies have noted that PAs can provide high-quality health care -- comparable to that of a doctor -- for about 80% of the conditions seen in primary care settings.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The physician assistant is prepared, both academically and clinically, to provide health care services under the direction and supervision of a doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathy (DO). PA functions include performing diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health maintenance services.
Review Date: 10/31/2009
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
