Becoming A Physician Assistant

To investigate the role of a physician assistant, I have completed thorough research along with discussion with physician assistants at the Rhode Island and Miriam Hospital. From researching I have learned that they work under supervision and responsibility of an attending physician. However, they have several independent duties that are extremely important to healthcare. They are experts in general medicine and take an important position in diagnosing, treating, and prescribing medicine to patients. Physician assistants receive education and go through clinical rotations involving several different departments. These include family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine, and

From talking to and observing a physician assistant in the emergency department of Rhode Island Hospital, I have been informed of basic questions held for the patient such as, "How are you feeling today, what is bothering you", "How long has this been going on for?", "Any chance that you are pregnant?", and "Have you recently been out of the country?". Physician assistants then perform a physical examination of the patient and establish a basic treatment plan. Observations have shown me that charting is a major part of a PA in the emergency department and other departments. I learned that this is where a description of the patient is recorded and it is also where the plan for treatment is written. After examination, a physician assistant takes the important role in ordering and interpreting tests depending on the patient's conditions. A physician assistant is capable of prescribing medication to patients but also must submit the patient to an attending physician for consultation. In the emergency, I witnessed a physician assistant complete all of these tasks and also discharge patients. Discharging is important in the emergency department because new patients are constantly transferring in.