Locations:
SearchThe Short Answer from one of our experts
Image content: This image is available to view online.
View image online (https://assets.clevelandclinic.org/transform/508f6a80-7d72-41c0-8c21-e172f2df9eae/physicianAssistant-1127771193-770x533-1_jpg)
Physician assistant on virtual appointment
A: Physician assistants (PAs) team up with your doctor and other healthcare providers to care for you. They earn a master’s degree after completing an intense medical curriculum from an accredited physician assistant program (often housed in a medical school).
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Physician assistants graduate as medical generalists. They may practice in a primary care setting or a specialty setting, teaming up with a physician or a surgeon. They can assess, diagnose, treat, prescribe medication, and educate you about health conditions and about wellness.
As our population ages, physicians will rely more and more on physician assistants and other advanced care practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, to improve access to quality medical care.
— Cleveland Clinic Education Institute Executive Dean James Young, MD
Advertisement
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
The differences are few, but ophthalmologists can perform eye surgeries and more complex procedures
You don’t have to wait until you have symptoms of heart disease to seek cardiology care
Having a PCP means knowing where to go for a range of concerns — that’s a good thing for your lifelong health
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but dietitians have specialized training
The best way to figure out which kind you need is to first speak with your primary care provider
They practice medicine similarly, but DOs have a focus on the mind, body, spirit connection
The short answer from a primary care specialist
Your first point of health contact
Getting back to normal after a head injury takes time — and patience
Dressing in multiple layers, drinking warm liquids and taking breaks indoors can help prevent these cold-weather injuries
Pick bell peppers to help fight cancer, memory decline and joint pain
