Many physician assistants work in practices where women would be likely to receive their primary medical care. The remaining 5 percent see only inpatients. PAs provide both obstetrical and gynecological care, including comprehensive annual gynecological examinations. They evaluate and manage common gynecological conditions, including contraception, vaginal infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and menopausal problems. Physician assistants are commonly included on teams that evaluate and treat infertility.
PAs provide prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care.
In addition, many PAs who work in ambulatory practices have hospital privileges to first assist in surgeries, such as hysterectomies and cesarean sections. PAs are ideally suited to provide not only treatment of ambulatory gynecological problems, but also to provide primary care for women. Because they are educated as generalists, PAs are well-prepared to handle conditions such as respiratory infections, headaches, mild hypertension and diabetes, urinary tract infections, and to provide health promotion, disease prevention, and screening for women in all stages of life. Utilization of physician assistants in obstetrical practices also can be an effective way to keep the schedule on track when deliveries would otherwise disrupt the schedule. PAs often share night and weekend call for deliveries, particularly in rural practices, where there may be only one physician to serve an entire community.