What Is a PA? – HealthyWomen

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are PS with license and trained who deal directly with patients. PAs provide preventive medical care and can diagnose and treat health conditions and injuries. In general, PAs have general medical training, which means that they can administer a wide range of conditions.

Most PAs function as PC partners in various health -related facilities. These may include:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Private practices
• Elderly houses
• Community Health Centers
• Retail clinics

Is a doctor?

No. A PA is not a doctor. But Pas can help administer your health and do many of the same things as HCP. The big difference between the PAS and the doctors is the amount of time spent in school and training. TO Medical teacher It is a master’s degree and generally requires about three years of education in addition to a university degree. The Medicine School varies from seven to 12 years after the undergraduate school. PAS records less hours than doctors in general, but still have education and skills to diagnose and treat health conditions.

What does a PA?

The responsibilities of an AP may vary according to some different factors. The level of experience, state laws and work environment, including the doctor who works with AP, can determine what a PA does. Depending on the situation, the responsibilities of an AP may include:

• Take medical stories
• Performing exams
• Order tests
• Explaining the results of the tests
• Diagnose health conditions
• Development of treatment plans
• Prescription of medicine
• Performing procedures
• Attend in surgery

Why do people go to a PA?

The concept of a PA began in the 1960 As a way for suppliers to meet the demand of patients during the shortage of doctors. Today, many factors contribute to the patient’s demand in addition to a Doctors’s shortage. The lack of access to quality medical care is a serious problem for many people in the United States, especially for people of color and people living in rural areas.

This is where Pas can help fill the void and why the PAs have demand. In addition to general medicine, PAS can work with specialists in many different medical fields. These may include:

• Cardiology
• Emergency medicine
• Family Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Radiology

Can it be prescribed medications?

Yes. Pas can prescribe medications and develop treatment plans based on your medical care needs. State laws determine which medications can prescribe PAS. For example, Pas in Kentucky can prescribe undersigned substances but not controlled substances.

Practicing vs. Medical Assistant

Practical nurses (NP) and PAs have similar work, but their responsibilities may vary according to many factors, including state laws and training. Both require at least one master’s degree, but NPs are trained to work in specific areas such as women’s health or pediatrics. PA are trained using a medical model, similar to doctors, to deal with more general health conditions. In addition, most NP in the US can see patients without working with a doctor, but most PAs have to work with a doctor to practice medicine.

How does a PA fit in my medical care team?

Think of an AP like your favorite person for the support of medical care you need, just like a doctor. PAs can administer their treatment plan, prescribe and fill in medicines, and monitor their well -being and general health. In many cases, you will only see your PA, who will work with a doctor to maintain a health plan that works for you. Pas can also connect it to other HCP if you need a specialist.

In a nutshell: APs are PS that can diagnose and treat conditions.