Re: Does anybody know what kind of medical degree is: PA-C?

[Guest guest]

Naama,

That is a physician's assistant. They are trained to conduct physical

assessments and precribe medications under a physician's supervision.

Hope that helps,

Jim

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jim,

What kind of Education do they get and how much do they understand in

Medicine?...

Are the PA able to diagnose?

Thanks,

Naama

> Naama,

>

> That is a physician's assistant. They are trained to conduct

physical

> assessments and precribe medications under a physician's

supervision.

>

> Hope that helps,

> Jim

[Guest guest]

Did you used to watch ER when Gloria Reuben was it in? She became a

PA. I forget the name of the character, but she got HIV from her

ex-husband (or something). I think she was allowed to diagnose &

prescribe certain types of things. I'm sure the rules vary by

jurisdiction, too.

bj

Re: Does anybody know what kind of medical degree is:

PA-C?

>

> What kind of Education do they get and how much do they understand

in Medicine?...

> Are the PA able to diagnose?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I didn't watch ER....

I wonder how much can I rely on her diagnistic skills... or better

loom for a real doc, preferable an Endo...

Naama

> Did you used to watch ER when Gloria Reuben was it in? She became a

> PA. I forget the name of the character, but she got HIV from her

> ex-husband (or something). I think she was allowed to diagnose &

> prescribe certain types of things. I'm sure the rules vary by

> jurisdiction, too.

> bj

>

> Re: Does anybody know what kind of medical degree is:

> PA-C?

> >

> > What kind of Education do they get and how much do they understand

> in Medicine?...

> > Are the PA able to diagnose?

> >

[Guest guest]

Naama,

PA's have a master's degree I believe. They are able to diagnose and

treat, but their work has to be supervised by a physician. In other words, it

they do diagnose, the physician has to sign-off on it, and thus agree with

the diagnosis. I personally don't mind using PA's for simple things like

colds and ear infections, but would not want one treating my Thyca.

Hope that helps,

Jim

[Guest guest]

I'm not Jim, and I don't know precisely the education Physicians' Assistants

receive, but I can tell you that when I was in the emergency room last year, I

was attended to solely by a PA.

I was surprised that she diagnosed, ordered tests, wrote prescriptions, and for

a patient in another room, actually sutured a cut on his eyelid.

As far as I could tell, she didn't consult with an MD before doing any or each

of these things.

I suspect that the pay scale for PA's is a fraction of that for physicians, and

that we will be seeing a lot more of them in the future.

-

NYC

PS - a quick Google search came up with this ...

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm (US Govt Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor

Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook) ...

" The typical physician assistant program lasts about 2 years and usually

requires at least 2 years of college and some healthcare experience for

admission. "

There's also a lengthy description of the nature of the job.

http://expertpages.com/medical/pa.htm

" Physicians Assistant Expert Witnesses and Consultants: Healthcare professionals

licensed to practice with physician supervision. PA's conduct physical exams,

diagnose/treat illnesses,

order/interpret tests, counsel on preventive care, assist in surgery, and in

most states write prescriptions. "

I'm inferring that they can also moonlight as expert witnesses in court.

http://www.aapa.org/

American Academy of Physician Assistants

naamapaca wrote:

> Thanks Jim,

>

> What kind of Education do they get and how much do they understand in

> Medicine?...

> Are the PA able to diagnose?

>

> Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

This kind of Med. Degree is very odd.

I wouldn't trust their diagnosis either... I'd trust them just to

write a persription, or order the TSH (or other) blood tests...

The medical groups just try to save money on our health...

The health system in the USA needs to change! (including RAI

hospitalisation)!

Thanks,

Naama

-- In Thyca@y..., DRBEAR22@A... wrote:

> Naama,

>

> PA's have a master's degree I believe. They are able to

diagnose and

> treat, but their work has to be supervised by a physician. In other

words, it

> they do diagnose, the physician has to sign-off on it, and thus

agree with

> the diagnosis. I personally don't mind using PA's for simple things

like

> colds and ear infections, but would not want one treating my Thyca.

>

> Hope that helps,

> Jim

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for the valuable information.

I was shocked to read about the PA medical education! How can

anybody compare the knowledge that a doc has to study during 7

years+++ to shallow 2 years of study?! I must addmit that I was

shocked from what you wrote! How can a PA work in an Emregency room?

In cases of eemergency you need very experienced docs!!

I wouldn't trust a diagnostic given by a PA!.... (I hardly belive an

Endo.. and check and read myself...)

It's all abiout the money. No body cares about the patients... That's

sad but that's the reality.

Have anice weekend,

Naama

>

> > Thanks Jim,

> >

> > What kind of Education do they get and how much do they

understand in

> > Medicine?...

> > Are the PA able to diagnose?

> >

> > Thanks,

[Guest guest]

For some info on PAs see:

http://www.aapa.org/geninfo1.html (American Academy of Physician

Assistants)

http://www.aapa.org/glance.html (facts-at-a-glance)

http://www.downstate.edu/CHRP/pa.html (about the SUNY program)

and more refs. I used a google search on physician assistant

education.

In addition, nurse-practitioners also do a lot of formerly-doctor-only

type work.

see for example http://www.aanp.org/nurse.htm

bj