Physician assistant

The tasks and responsibilities of a physician assistant (PA) fall between those of a medical specialist and a nurse. PAs reduce doctors’ workload by taking over a range of duties, but they always work under the supervision of a physician.

What does a physician assistant do?

A physician assistant performs a wide range of tasks, reducing the doctor’s workload and allowing the doctor to spend more time on other duties. This means that an appointment may sometimes be scheduled with a physician assistant instead of a doctor. Depending on the specialty, their tasks and responsibilities may include:

• Conducting consultations.
• Performing physical examinations or additional medical tests.
• Developing a treatment plan.
• Performing minor medical procedures such as injections, catheterisations and punctures.
• Assisting during surgery.
• Prescribing medication.
• Providing emergency medical care.
• Coordinating patient care.
• Providing information and guidance to patients and training healthcare staff.
• Developing protocols and guidelines to improve healthcare.
• Contributing to scientific research.

Where does a physician assistant work?

Physician assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and mental healthcare institutions. They can also work in general practices, but a physician assistant is not the same as a medical assistant. The duties of a medical assistant are much more limited.