PAs provide a wide variety of medical services traditionally performed by physicians. The concept for the profession originated in the early to mid-1960s as a way to enhance the provision of medical care to people residing in medically underserved areas. The care of the underserved remains an ongoing goal of the profession. Physician assistants work in all fifty states, Guam, and the District of Columbia in a wide range of medical settings including physicians' offices, hospitals, clinics, emergency departments, military and Veterans Administration installations, nursing homes, industrial health centers, and correctional institutions. They always work in conjunction with a physician and can have a wide array of responsibilities including medical history taking, physical examination, ordering or performing lab and other diagnostic tests, synthesizing data to make a proper assessment, developing a treatment plan, monitoring patient progress, performing health related counseling, performing various procedures such as casting and suturing, and assisting in surgery.
PAs can prescribe medication in the majority of states.
The Philadelphia University Physician Assistant program is a part of the School of Science and Health. It is a comprehensive academic experience that stresses the practical application of current medical theory. Most of the program faculty are actively practicing health care providers with a great depth of knowledge and experience. Students are exposed to the clinical environment throughout their education with patient contact even during the classroom or didactic portion of the program. This program is currently only available in the day, full-time.