What is A Physician Assistant?

 

A Physician Assistant (PA) is a person who has been trained to practice medicine.  Only PAs who are National Board Certified may legally use the designation (PA-C).  PAs often perform 80-90% of tasks normally associated with physicians (some more or less).  Some PAs specialize.  Although PAs  practice medicine they so only collaboratively, and therefore, PAs are not doctors and always must work in conjunction with a Supervising Physician.  Although the PA and MD may be hundreds of miles apart, the PA always has availability to consult the Supervising Physician whenever need arises and their work is always somehow reviewed as per individual State laws.

 

PAs perform complete patient history and physical examinations, to include pap/pelvic/breast exams, well baby/child/sport and DMV/truck driver exams along with all problem oriented exam encounters.  PAs order and interpret various laboratory, x-ray, EKG, and other special studies and develop entire treatment plans to include doing minor surgery and prescribing medications for all ages and ordering physical therapy and other things.

MAGALIA-PINES FAMILY PRACTICE MEDICAL CLINIC