PAs are proven and integral members of the U.S. healthcare system. But what exactly do PAs do? And who decides? The boundaries of each PA’s scope of practice are determined by these parameters: education and experience; state law; policies of employers and facilities, and the needs of the patients. 

Owning a practice or other healthcare business is complex and can present special challenges for PAs. The following information can help you decide whether practice partnership or ownership is right for you.

A small Texas practice’s electronic health records were hacked and held for ransom. For days, while pen and paper kept the practice going, a PA wondered whether she’d face a financial hit from the cyber breach.

Huddle’s latest Ask Me session recruited virtual medicine PAs Desmond Watt and Amanda Shelley to engage in field-related discussions with AAPA members. Virtual health, or telemedicine, is an emerging healthcare space that PAs have the opportunity to not only join, but lead.

A summary of PAs in team-oriented care models.

Be ready to explain PA practice to potential employers and share the ways you can contribute to medical care.

What is a PA (physician associate/physician assistant)? PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting.

Most PAs recall their PA education as being the most rigorous and challenging of their academic careers. The hard work will be worth it as you learn how to become an outstanding clinician.

The didactic phase is the first exposure many future PAs have to the rigors, challenges, and rewards of their chosen career. 

Professional competencies for physician assistants include the effective and appropriate application of medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.