Anthony Amoroso MD - Fast Facts on Physician Assistants

 Ever envision a scenario where the demand for health care is so high that there are not enough physicians to respond to? Such scenario can be a reality as reported by a study from Council on Graduate Medical Education. The study indicates that the increase of population after 2015 will cause a surge in demand for physicians. This may lead to a shortage of 85,000 medical doctors by 2020.

Such scenario may seem terrifying but no longer be worrisome as one can now obtain health care from physician assistants, professionals who practised under a supervising physician. They can now offer services traditionally rendered only by physicians such as diagnostic and therapeutic care, physical exams, prescribing medications and others.

 

Although performing most tasks conventionally carried out by physicians, PAs need not undergo many years of education and training as that required for a physician. Instead, their training lasts for three years or less. After graduating from a PA program, they are required to pass a national certification. One-hundred hours of continuing medical education must be completed every two years. They should also sit for a re-certification exam every six years.

Studies have indicated that physician assistants can provide medical service just as good as physicians. As such, one can be assured of obtaining good service from these professionals. They treat many of the same kind of patients the physicians treat. In regard to job scope, it is noted that it is not similar for all PAs. It varies with training, experience and state laws. Moreover, the job scope is also dependent on the supervising physician's practice. For instance, if the supervising physician is a surgeon, then the PA is expected to work on tasks that a surgeon usually performs.