What is a PA?
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Certified physician assistants (PA-C) are medical providers formally trained in primary care, graduating from one of over 130 accredited academic training programs in the U.S.
Many continue with a 1-yr. surgical residency or become subspecialized in areas like dermatology. Typical backgrounds of PA students include nursing, EMT, med-tech, paramedic, etc. To remain nationally certified, they must complete 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) every 2 years, and pass a national recertification exam every 6 years. While over half remain in primary care, the rest can be found in every medical and surgical specialty, including dermatology.
HOW DOES A PA FUNCTION?
As with all physician assistants, dermatology PAs are legally and ethically bound to practice only under the supervision of their employing physician, never in competition with them. Physician assistants have been practicing with dermatologists for 30 years. They are allowed to see patients independently, diagnose, order and interpret lab tests, prescribe medicines, and provide medical or surgical treatment of a wide variety of clinical pathology. In this practice all treatment plans are reviewed by the supervising dermatologist and initial visits usually include a visit by the dermatologist.
MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT PAs
California Academy of Physician Assistants
3100 W. Warner Ave., Suite 3
Santa Ana, CA 92704-5331
http://www.capanet.org/booklet/booklet.html
American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 North Washington Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
http://www.aapa.org/geninfo1.html
Society for Dermatology Physician Assistants
EMSI-SDPA
8301 Broadway, Suite 401
San Antonio, TX 78209
American
Association of Surgical Physician Assistants
P.O. Box 867
Bernardsville, NJ 07924