The physician assistant profession was created in the 1960s to help expand and improve patient access to healthcare. Â Physician assistants or sometimes called physician associates work in all aspects of healthcare, often working in underserved areas providing care to patients. They portray an important role in line with medication. Some have wider scope of work, varying from their jurisdictions.
What is a physician assistant?
A physician assistant is trained to diagnose and treat disease. They are able to prescribe medications, order lab studies, assist in surgery, and perform a role similar to other healthcare practitioners. They can work in any field of medicine, under a supervising physician.  They are generally required to complete a master’s degree program. With the growing popularity of the profession, programs are being created all over the country to train and educate those interested in this field. They are required to complete continuing medical education every 2 years and every 6-10 years they are required to re-certify by completing a standardized board examination. They fall under the auspice of the board of medicine, similar to a medical doctor, and are required to have both national certifications and state licensing.Generally once a physician assistant is established in a practice, the oversight by their supervising physician is limited to chart reviews, phone consultation, and occasional site visits (if the medical doctor does not practice in the same area). They are becoming used more and more throughout the United States and the world providing care to underserved patients and communities. They have become a valued member of the medical professional team and an integral part of many healthcare systems.
How did they become a recognized component of medical practices?
In the 1960’s former Navy Corpsman coming home from Vietnam, with vast medical experience on the front lines of the battlefield, were invited to join a new medical program at Duke University. Their goal was to train these brave men and women to diagnosis and treat disease; and then send them to areas of the country where shortages of medical doctors existed.  Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s the federal government paved the way for the Physician Assistant profession to blossom. Accrediting boards both nationally and on a state level were created. Today 187 programs exist throughout the United States.  Today the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and state Boards of Medicine ensure that all PAs properly trained, accredited and licensed to practice medicine. In 2014 US News and World Report the PA profession was listed as the number 13 on their 100 best jobs list. The physician assistants chief concern is about the whole welfare of patients. To do their work, they get the patient’s medical records, conduct tests or laboratory examinations, and other measures that will diagnose illnesses to be able to give prescriptions. They analyze test results, provide medical counsel, refer clients to other experts when necessary, and also assist in surgery.
Physician assistants are a significant piece in running a medical related institution. They not only assist medical doctors, but also make things much easier for them because of their level of expertise and ability to treat patients. They are a boon to patient care as they provide services to a much needed part of the population that otherwise would not receive a higher level of medical care.