Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventative care, assist in surgery and write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and providing a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA practice may also include education, research and administrative services.

[As of 2018, there are more than 115,500 PAs certified in the U.S.]

American Academy of Physician Assistants (www.aapa.org)