In America physician assistants are mid-level practitioners licensed to practice medicine with a physician supervision. PAs can treat patients and, in most states, prescribe medicine. PA's in surgical practices also serve as first assists in surgery. PAs provide medical services that are reimbursed under Medicare and third party insurances.

They should not be confused with medical assistants , who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks.

Physician assistants held about 58,000 jobs in 2000. The number of jobs is greater than the number of practicing PAs because some hold two or more jobs. For example, some PAs work with a supervising physician, but also work in another practice, clinic, or hospital. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants , there were about 40,469 certified PAs in clinical practice as of January 2000.

Almost 56 percent of jobs for PA's were in the offices and clinics of physicians, either Allopathic or Osteopathic. About 32 percent were in hospitals. The rest were mostly in public health clinics, temporary help agencies, schools, prisons, home healthcare agencies, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, about one-third of all PAs provide healthcare to communities with fewer than 50,000 residents, in which physicians may be in limited supply.

External links

• American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
  • AAPA info about PAs