What do physician assistants do?

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed medical professionals who practice medicine in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They are trained to provide preventative, curative, and therapeutic services, and they can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform procedures.

PAs work under the supervision of physicians, but they have a great deal of autonomy and responsibility. They may see patients independently, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments, all without needing a physician's approval. This allows PAs to provide more timely and efficient care to patients, and it can help to reduce costs for patients and the healthcare system.

Here are some of the tasks that PAs may perform:

- Diagnose and treat illnesses

- Prescribe medications

- Perform procedures

- Order and interpret laboratory and imaging tests

- Educate patients about their conditions

- Provide preventative care

- Coordinate patient care with other healthcare professionals

- Manage electronic medical records

PAs are an essential part of the healthcare team, and they play a critical role in providing quality care to patients.