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The Physician Assistant

By: Jennifer Wiberg, PA-C

The physician assistant (PA) profession dates back to the mid 1960's. This fast-growing profession was designed to improve access to quality medical care. PAs work side-by-side with physicians (MDs) in hundreds of medical clinics throughout the United States. Within the FHSM care system, I am one of three PAs. Some of you are familiar with the role of the PA, but for those who are not, I would like to enlighten you.

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician assistants are qualified to conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions.

Because of the close working relationship PAs have with physicians in the working world, they are educated in a medical model designed to complement physician training. The core content of their curriculum is very similar to that of a physician, with intensive education. However, physicians are required to complete an intemship and often a residency in a specialty, and physician assistants do not have this requirement.

Upon graduation, physician assistants must take a national certification exam. Passing this exam gives them the title "Physician Assistant Certified", or PA-C. To maintain their national certification, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and must pass a recertification exam every six years.

The physician assistant is a representative of the physician. He or she treats the patient in the style and manner developed and directed by the supervising physician. A main difference between a physician and a PA is that a physician has complete responsibility for the care of the patient, whereas a PA shares that responsibility with the supervising physician. Cases that involve work that is not a routine part of the PA's scope of practice, as well as complicated cases, would be handled by the physician alone. Physician assistants are taught to "know their limits" and refer to physicians appropriately. This is an important part of PA training. The PA and physician maintain a mutual trust and respect, and function as a team. Physician Assistants can make a positive, significant contribution to health care delivery, and surveys repeatedly indicate that patient acceptance is high. Family HealthServices Minnesota, P.A. currently has 3 PA-C's:

  • Debra Sepeta, PA-C (Afton Road Clinic)
  • Katharine Walker, PA-C (Maryland Clinic)
  • Jennifer Wiberg, PA-C (Inver Grove Heights Clinic)

(Some information obtained from the American Academy of Physician Assistants at http://www.aapa.org)

 

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