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If you’ve been to your doctor’s office lately, chances are that a physician assistant (PA)* was there for part or all of your visit. PAs are indispensable members of your healthcare team, but you may still be curious about what they do and the difference they make in the world of patient care. Dana Waxenberg, a PA who works in Primary Care at Weill Cornell Medicine, is pleased to supply answers to your frequently asked questions about her profession starting with, what is a physician assistant?
A physician assistant is a licensed medical professional who practices medicine in multiple specialties and settings. PAs work as part of an interdisciplinary team, right alongside physicians.
*A PA is called a physician associate in some states.
What do PAs do?
Here’s a list of the main tasks they perform:
What don't PAs do?
PAs can’t perform surgery independently without a physician present. They can’t be the primary provider when a patient is giving birth or practice independently without a physician agreement.
Where do PAs practice?
PAs work in medical offices, hospitals, community health centers, and educational facilities.
What are the educational requirements for a PA?
In order to apply to PA school, you need an undergraduate degree and a certain number of clinical patient care hours. PA school itself consists of a 2 to 3 year program beginning with the didactic portion, which takes place in the classroom. That is where PAs acquire the foundational medical knowledge needed. The second half is the clinical portion, which involves hands on experience practicing medicine. Upon graduation, PAs earn a master’s degree. There’s also an option to do a PA fellowship which is an extra year of training in a particular specialty, such as cardiology or critical care.
Are there advantages to seeing a PA for medical care?
The main advantage is PAs help patients get seen sooner, especially in parts of the country where there’s a physician shortage or a long wait to see a doctor. PAs tend to see fewer patients per day than physicians, which allows them to spend more time with each patient.
Do PAs work within all medical specialties, or mainly in primary care?
PAs can work in all medical specialties. Unlike MDs and NPs, PAs can change their specialty at any time.
When does a PA need to consult with a physician?
According to state law, PAs have an agreement with the physician under whom they practice, and the physician is available to consult with them as needed, depending on the clinical scenario. Dana says, “I have a lot of autonomy in my current position, and I’m lucky to work with an amazing group of physicians. If I have a question about a patient or need clarification about an issue I’ve encountered, I can reach out and ask them for help at any time.”
A physician’s perspective:
“Working with a PA adds significant value to clinical care by improving access, efficiency and continuity for patients. PAs play a key role in evaluating and managing patients, coordinating care and ensuring timely follow-up, which allows for more comprehensive care overall. They also provide important clinical continuity when I am out of the office, both in seeing patients who need timely evaluation and helping to cover my patient messages. In addition, PAs offer excellent support with peer-to-peer insurance authorization reviews, thus ensuring that patients can access the care and services they need without unnecessary delays.”
A patient’s experience:
“Dana has been outstanding. She has a wonderful bedside manner, never rushes appointments and takes the time to thoroughly address all of my concerns. She listens carefully and is proactive about follow up to ensure I’m taking the appropriate next steps. I’ve been seeing her for about two years now and have consistently received excellent care.”
Describe a typical day in your practice.
Dana works in outpatient primary care, so her appointments may involve an annual physical exam, a follow-up appointment or an urgent care visit.
“I also have a set panel of my own patients where I’m their primary care provider and I work with specific physicians whose patients see me for follow up or sick visits.”
Physician Assistants have been a valuable addition to Primary Care as they provide tremendous support to physicians, increase access and availability of appointments, as well as provide an outstanding level of care and experience to patients.
Make an appointment with your primary care provider at https://weillcornell.org/primary-care
