The extent of supervision, however, depends upon the location. For example, PA's working in rural or inner city clinics, where a physician may be available just 1 or 2 days each week, may provide most of the health care for patients and consult with the supervising physician by telephone. Other PA's may make house calls or go to hospitals to check on patients and report back to the physician. Aspiring PA's should investigate the laws and regulations in the States where they wish to practice. PA's assist physicians in specialty areas, such as general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, and pediatrics.
Most physician assistants work in physicians' offices and clinics.
Although PA's generally work in a comfortable, well-lighted environment, those in surgery often stand for long periods, and others do considerable walking. Schedules vary according to practice setting and often depend on the hours of the supervising physician. The workweek of PA's in physicians' offices may include weekends, night hours, or early morning hospital rounds to visit patients. Employment Physician assistants held about 58,000 jobs in 1992. Most PA's work in physicians' offices and clinics.