Is PA School Right for
You?
If you think you would enjoy providing primary care to patients
under the supervision of a physician, then training in an
accredited PA program may be just what you're looking for. PA's
work as part of the medical team under the supervision of a
physician. They provide routine health care to patients,
including performing physical examinations, ordering and
interpreting lab tests, arriving at a diagnosis, making treatment
plans, and (in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam)
even writing prescriptions. The duties of a PA can also include
health promotion education, research, and administrative
responsibilities.
What Kind of Training Do PA's
receive?
Training consists of courses in the basic medical sciences
(Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, clinical medicine,
and physical diagnosis). After the basic science coursework, PA
students do clinical rotations, similar to medical students,
gaining experience in clinical areas including Pediatrics,
Obstetrics/Gynecology, Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine,
Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, and Emergency medicine. PA's are
also required to continue their education after being licensed by
taking continuing education classes and by passing a recertifying
examination once each 6-year cycle in order to maintain their
certification status. The curriculum of a typical PA program is
modeled on the fast-track training of doctors during World War
II. The main difference in training between PA's and physicians
is length. Physicians must complete residency specialty training,
whereas PA's do not.
How Does the Care Provided by PA's
Differ from that of Physicians?
PA's practice in all areas of medicine under physician
supervision, within the limits set by state laws. PA's and their
supervising physicians operate as a team, with the PA caring for
routine illnesses and clinical problems. When a patient's
problems are complex or difficult to manage, then the PA is
trained to refer such patients to the appropriate physician.
Knowing their limits is an important part of the training PA's
receive. The supervising physician is ultimately responsible to
see that the care provided by the PA is consistent with the
physician's practice standards. The working relationship between
a PA and his/her supervising physician is based on mutual trust,
with the PA functioning as the physician's representative. The
American Medical Association set guidelines for this relationship
in 1995.
