A Day in the Life of a Physician Assistant Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care providers that work under supervision of a physician. They have various duties that must be performed every day, and the profession can become stressful at times. The physician assistant profession is very flexible and PAs can practice in many areas of medicine ranging from pediatrics, emergency medicine, family medicine, and more. In 2016, the physician assistant profession was ranked fourth as the best health care jobs. The physician assistant profession has become very popular and the outlook is increasing drastically. The physician assistant profession consists of examining, diagnosing, and treating patients. In order to do this the PAs can prescribe medicine, take patient’s medical histories, order diagnostic tests, and educate their patients. Some
…show more content…
PAs can work every day of the week and even some only work 1-2 days a week. When speaking with Jessica K, an emergency medicine PA, she typically works three to four days a week and usually works weekends and holidays. In some cases, PA’s may be required to be on call at times. When a PA works, it is required that a physician has to be on duty at all times. However, many people believe that PA’s and physicians work in close contact every day. Although this may be the case in some instances, PAs and physicians typically see patients independently of one another. When speaking to Jessica, she claims that she only works with her supervising physician once or twice a week. One huge misconception many of Jessica’s patients as well as others believe that physician assistants are training to become physicians themselves. Because of this belief held by many patients, it can be difficult sometimes treating to treat them because they wish to be treated by a physician and not a physician
PAs can work every day of the week and even some only work 1-2 days a week. When speaking with Jessica K, an emergency medicine PA, she typically works three to four days a week and usually works weekends and holidays. In some cases, PA’s may be required to be on call at times. When a PA works, it is required that a physician has to be on duty at all times. However, many people believe that PA’s and physicians work in close contact every day. Although this may be the case in some instances, PAs and physicians typically see patients independently of one another. When speaking to Jessica, she claims that she only works with her supervising physician once or twice a week. One huge misconception many of Jessica’s patients as well as others believe that physician assistants are training to become physicians themselves. Because of this belief held by many patients, it can be difficult sometimes treating to treat them because they wish to be treated by a physician and not a physician