The Physician Assistant (PA) profession was developed in order to.

Question

Options

• AFunction alongside a physician without having to complete the many years of medical education
• BReplace the overly-paid physician role
• CPerform the few roles broadly skilled physicians are not licensed to perform
• DAll of the above

• A
  92% (24)
• C
  4% (1)
• D
  4% (1)

Explanation

Option A is correct because the PA profession was created in the 1960s to extend physician services - particularly in underserved areas - by training clinicians who could handle many routine medical tasks under physician supervision, without requiring the full decade-plus of medical school and residency. Option B is wrong because PAs work with physicians in a collaborative model, not to replace them or address their compensation. Option C is wrong because it has the relationship backwards - PAs perform tasks physicians are licensed to do but may not have time for, not tasks physicians can't do.

Memory tip: Think of the "A" in PA standing for "Assistant" - the entire point is assistance and extension of physician capacity, not replacement or filling gaps in licensure.

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