What is a PA? A short 1-2 sentence answer.

[physio]

Looking for a short answer to the question. 1/2 the time I have no clue how to explain it to my non-medical friends/family and it ends up being a minute long lecture behind what a PA is, so when asked, what do you say?

[kargiver]

When I do interviews I ask this question of prospective students who I suspect really have no clue what a PA is... the answers given are actually quite entertaining...

 

It's simple really, and it goes something like this: A physician assistant (PA) is a person who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician.

 

The rest are just ways to elaborate on what this actually means.

 

G

[andersenpa]

Sentence #1: There's a written description of PAs on http://www.aapa.org.

Sentence 2: You can also google it.

[Febrifuge]

"You know nurse practitioners? How they're not DOCTOR doctors, but they see patients and write prescriptions? Yeah, think of me as a medical practitioner. Because I am."

[fireguy]

" I have a masters degree in medicine, a doctor has a doctorate degree. We work together to take care of patients"

[carpe178]

As a PA student, I've been looking for a nice short & sweet way to explain what a PA is. Fireguy, that's a fantastic explanation. I will certainly start using that!

[ventana]

I do about 90%-95% of what the doc's do but if I ever get a question I can ask my doc - used to say "do you know what an NP is? we are very similiar" but then lately I an not doing this as GASP - no need - everyone is knowing what a PA is......

[SocialMedicine]

Individual who practices compassionate and evidence based medicine at various levels depending on experience and education with physician oversight if needed.

[Mdub83]

I like that "master's in medicine"... I also like the google it answer. whatever.