Physician Assistants Near Me (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to see a PA than a doctor? ›

They Reduce Costs. Though they can both examine patients and prescribe treatment plans, physician assistants cost less than hiring a physician.

Reach out to your local hospitals, urgent care centers, and primary care clinics. In many cases, they offer shadowing programs or can connect you with willing PAs. Even better, start where you are gaining PCE/HCE.

That's really up to you. Since they can both do a lot of the same things that a doctor can do, such as perform physical exams and prescribe medications, they'll both give you the care you need to stay healthy. And that's what seeing a health care provider is all about.

The key differences between the role of a PA vs. an MD come to light when a complex issue arises. MDs have knowledge about complicated conditions that many PAs may not possess. PAs also cannot perform surgeries like MDs can, although PAs often assist in surgeries when needed.

“When you are faced with the choice of seeing an NP or PA right away or waiting for a physician, it's generally better to get in and be seen,” Coloma says. For coughs, earaches, rashes and other routine ailments, it's fine to see an NP or PA. Both can assess patients, diagnose and treat illnesses like these.

What are the advantages of choosing PA over MD? PAs typically spend less time and money on school and can switch specializations more easily than MDs. Most PAs begin practicing after 2 or 3 years of education and enjoy comfortable starting salaries.

Clear and Concise Introduction: Start by introducing yourself, including your educational background and your interest in the PA profession. This helps to establish a connection and provides context for your request. Express Your Interest: Clearly articulate your interest in shadowing them.

Although a PA program may not specifically require shadowing hours, at least 40 or more is the standard recommendation. You should plan to spend at least half of them shadowing a PA in a primary care setting.

Important Note-taking Tips!

Write down diagnoses, medicines, and symptoms that you hear about that day. When you get home, look up these things- you will learn so much, and it will really enhance your shadowing experience. Write about encounters that you find meaningful or inspire you…these stories go in your SHOEBOX!

An MD can work independently, while a PA must always work under the supervision of a doctor. PAs can't perform surgeries, but they can assist an MD during the procedure. However, an MD and a PA both can: Develop patient treatment plans.

What can a PA do that a NP cannot? ›

NPs can practice autonomously in many states but must collaborate with a physician in others. PAs must work under physician supervision but can prescribe medications without restrictions.

Is NP or PA school harder? PA and NP schools are challenging in their own ways. PA school does require more instructional and clinical hours than NP schools, but with the right study tool, you'll be okay no matter what you choose.

Yes, a PA may perform surgery if the supervising physician has authorized it and it is included in the PA's practice agreement.

A PA has the training to perform approximately 80 percent of the duties that an MD can perform. The leadership team of our Emergency Department evaluates each patient's needs carefully when assigning a medical professional to assist him or her.

A PA must attend a specialized medical training program associated with a medical school that includes classroom studies and clinical experience. An academic degree and/or certificate is awarded upon graduation. Many PAs already have two- or four-year academic degrees before entering a PA training program.

If you're considering why you should do a PA instead of an MD, think of what you want most out of your career. If money is your main motivator, an MD is a clear choice. However, if you want a better work/life balance and more consistent hours, PA may be the better choice.

A PA's education and practice emphasize patient education, preventive care, and chronic care management. Their generalist medical training enables them to provide a wide spectrum of patient care, allowing them to treat the “whole patient.”

Using the substitution ratio, a PA can perform at least 75% of a physician's tasks at a cost of 44% of the physician's salary, based on 1999 average primary care salaries for physicians and PAs.