Pulse of UTMC

Oct. 6 through 12 is National Physician Assistant week. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to get to know a number of PAs who have taught in UT’s PA program, graduated from that program and treat our patients at UT Medical Center. I’ve also been the beneficiary of their care. When I’ve got something nasty happening in my lungs and can’t get in to see a physician, I’m thrilled to have access to a PA.

Amy Biedenbach, PA-C

I’m a big fan of the profession, but I’ve encountered laypeople who are apprehensive, so I’ve asked Amy Biedenbach, PA-C, a surgical physician assistant, to share some information on her profession.

Q: What is a physician assistant? What can a PA do?

A: A physician assistant (PA) is a licensed health professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. What a physician assistant does.

In general, PA’s can provide approximately 80 percent of the services typically provided by a family physician. They perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, suture wounds, assist in surgery, provide preventive health care counseling, and in 39 states, including Ohio, can write prescriptions.

A physician assistant can do whatever is delegated to him/her by the supervising physician and allowed by law.

The scope of the PA’s practice corresponds to the supervising physician’s practice. For example, the PA working with a surgeon would be skilled in surgical techniques in the operating room, perform pre- and post-operative care, and be able to perform special tests and procedures.

Q: What is the difference between a PA and a physician?

A: One of the main differences between physician assistant education and physician education is not the core content of the curriculum but the amount of time spent in school. The length of a PA program is about two thirds that of medical school. Physicians also are required to do an internship, and the majority also complete a residency in a specialty; PA’s do not have to undertake an internship or residency. Doctors are independent practitioners; PA’s practice medicine under the supervision of a physician.

Q: How did the physician assistant profession begin?

A: Dr. Eugene Stead of the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina put together the first class of PA’s in 1965. He selected Navy corpsmen who had received considerable medical training during the war in Vietnam but who had no comparable civilian employment. He based the curriculum of the PA program in part on his knowledge of the fast-track training of doctors during World War II.

Q: How much education and training does a PA receive?

A: Most physician assistant education programs require applicants to have previous health care experience and some college education. The typical applicant already has a bachelor’s degree and more than four years of health care experience. Nurses, EMTs, and paramedics often apply to PA programs. On average, an accredited PA program lasts 25 months. PA programs are accredited by an independent organization sponsored in part by the American Medical Association. All PA programs must meet the same standard curriculum essentials.

A PA’s education doesn’t stop after graduation. PA’s are required to take ongoing continuing medical education classes and to be retested on their clinical skills every six years.

Q: What does PA-C. stand for? What does the C mean?

A: Physician assistant-certified — the person who holds the title has met the defined course of study and has undergone testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). To maintain the C after PA, a physician assistant must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and take the recertification exam every six years.

Thinking about a career change? Learn about UT’s PA program.

For more information, visit the Physician Assistant History Center.