National Physician Assistant Week
Friends. It just might be the best week ever.
Why? Because we're in the middle of National Physician Assistant Week! As a former patient of one amazing PA, I can attest not only to the quality of their care, but also to the professionalism and warmth with which they treat their patients (Orlando, if you ever read this, I'm talking about you).
What is a Physician Assistant?
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works as a part of a team with a doctor. A PA is nationally certified to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. (AAPA)
10 Fun Facts About Physician Assistants
History:
Why? Because we're in the middle of National Physician Assistant Week! As a former patient of one amazing PA, I can attest not only to the quality of their care, but also to the professionalism and warmth with which they treat their patients (Orlando, if you ever read this, I'm talking about you).
What is a Physician Assistant?
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| PAs practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. |
10 Fun Facts About Physician Assistants
History:
1. The PA program and profession first originated at Duke University in 1965 to address the shortage of primary physicians in the United States.
2. Nowadays, PAs work in all areas of medicine, family practices, to emergency medicine, to surgery specialties (like cardiothoracic surgery at Phoenix Children's Hospital!).
Education:
3. PA programs are modeled off the medical school model, but only lasts an average of 2 years.
- 3a. Because of the shortened timeframe, PA programs usually have more pre-requisites than med schools, and most PA students enter PA school with several months to several years of previous patient care experience.
4. Currently, there are over 150 accredited PA programs in the United States.
5. In order to be certified in the U.S., PAs must take an exam called the PANCE (equivalent to the NCLEX for nurses and the USMLE for Doctors).
What PAs do:
6. PAs are licensed to practice and prescribe medicine in all 50 states.
7. In rural areas, the PA may be the only healthcare provider on-site, collaborating with a physician elsewhere through telecommunication.
8. Studies have shown that patients are just as satisfied with medical care provided by PAs as with that provided by doctors.
Miscellaneous:
9. Some PAs prefer the title "Physician Associate".
10. The PA profession is growing rapidly and has consistently been ranked as one of the top careers by magazines like Forbes and USA Today.
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Friends, those are just a few of many reasons why PAs are so awesome. If you run across a PA this week (or anytime, really), make sure you give them a fist bump, high five or any other sort of affirmation. Thank you, PAs!
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| A group of PA students from A.T. Still University in Phoenix |
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