Is There A Difference Between A Physician Assistant And A Doctor?

It is not unusual for people to say that they know what a physician does, but many have still not heard about the Physician Assistant Profession. Do you know the difference between the two. If you have been wondering what the answer to that question is, here is some information that will help you out.

Doctors invest many years into the education and training it takes to become proficient in diagnosing the ills of patients, determining the appropriate treatment options, and prescribing medicine.

A Physician Assistant on the other hand if a highly skilled and trained individual who is kind of like a glorified nurse. They are not required to spend as much time during their education and training, but are given the authority to work right alongside doctors and many times in their stead treating patients and writing out prescriptions. However, they still are able to diagnose diseases and disorders, prescribe medication, and discuss treatment options with patients.

The primary difference between doctors and the Physician Assistant Profession is the level of education received in the quest for certification or licensing. Doctors typically attend medical school for 8 to 10 years. Once they are through with that they must spend some time as a resident at a hospital. The time in this setting is spend honing the skills that they have learned. At this point they are able to choose whether they wish to continue working in this type of setting, open a practice of their own or spend time doing research within the medical community.

Physician Assistants do not have to attend medical school for the same length of time and are often able to complete their training within a couple of years after getting their Bachelor's degree in nursing. Other education may be required if they desire to enter a specialized field. That means that they must work closely with a licensed physician, and the doctor carries some responsibility for the work they complete.

The requirement that they work while supervised by a licensed doctor is the main thing that sets them apart from an autonomous physician. They are given the duties of diagnosing illnesses, developing and executing treatment plans, suturing wounds, assisting during surgical procedures, examining patients, and assisting patients in other areas as well. These professionals are also allowed to assist during surgical procedures.

It is the primary care area of the medical profession in which you will find the bulk of those working as Physician Assistants. Those areas are family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. By handing over some of the responsibility for patient care to PAs, doctors have more time to perform more important elements of their practice, and patients receive more individualized care.