The Physician Assistant Examining Committee is responsible for consumer protection, making recommendations about the scope of practice of PA's and providing information about PA's to the health care community and others. PAs can provide most of the services typically provided by a physician. They perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, suture wounds, assist in surgery, provide preventive health care counseling, and can write prescriptions. Each PA must be supervised by a physician. A doctor has complete responsibility for the care of the patient.
PAs share that responsibility with the doctors.
The physician supervises the PA either when both are at the same location or by telephone. The supervising physician must always be available to the PA should the need arise. Nurses study nursing and not medicine. A PA is taught to diagnose and treat illnesses and attends a medical training program at a medical school. A PA can also write prescriptions and help perform operations.