About PAs
What is a PA?
A PA is a healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats both acute and chronic conditions. A PA can develop and manage treatment plans as well as prescribe medications. A PA can serve as a patient's primary care provider (PCP).
What can a PA do?
The specific responsibilities of a PA depends on their specialty, level of experience, practice setting, and state of employment. Typically, a PA can:
- Obtain medical histories
- Perform physical exams
- Diagnose and treat both acute and chronic conditions
- Order and interpret labs and imaging
- Prescribe medication
- Design treatment plans
- Discuss preventative measures
- Perform procedures
- Assist in surgery
- Perform research
The AAPA has put together some information about PAs that can be accessed by the links below: