Physicians

What do physicians think about physician assistants?

Most physicians who have worked with physician assistants enjoy having PAs on staff.  Studies done by the Federal Government have shown that PAs, working with the supervision of physicians, provide care that is comparable to physician care. The Eighth Report to the President and Congress on the Status of Health Personnel in the United States (released in 1992) states, "Physician assistants have demonstrated their clinical effectiveness both in terms of quality of care and patient acceptance." The AAPA also has an extensive literature review of the safety and effectiveness of PA care. 

A new survey published by the AAPA February 2025 also confirmed that an overwhelming majority of physicians agree that PAs provide quality, effective care and are important roles to expand access to healthcare in the US. Click here to read more about this report.  

What is the working relationship between a physician and a physician assistant?

The relationship between a PA and the collaborating physician is one of mutual trust and respect. The physician and PA practice as members of a medical team. 

What's the difference between a PA and a physician?

Physician assistants are educated in the "medical model"; in some schools they attend many of the same classes as medical students. Physician assistants are educated in PA programs accredited by the ARC-PA or Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant), and each PA is certified (PA-C) by the NCCPA or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

One of the main differences between PA education and physician education is not the core content of the curriculum, but the amount of time spent in formal education. In addition to time in school, physicians are required to do an internship, and the majority also complete a residency in a specialty following that. PAs do not have to undertake an internship or residency.

A physician has complete responsibility for the care of the patient. PAs share that responsibility with the collaborating physicians. In terms of malpractice the PA is fully responsible for the care that they provide and collaborating physician responsible for getting involved when care is beyond the scope of the PA.

What's going on with the name change?

In May 2021, the AAPA voted to initiate a name change from physician assistant to physician associate. This requires an extensive project at the federal and state level, and PAs are instructed to continue to use the term physician assistant in all legal and clinical environments until their state enacts the name change in full. 

Missouri has not yet initiated this name change as we believe there are higher priorities that affect the clinical practice of Missouri's PAs. MOAPA continues to monitor the national landscape of the name change and will consider the name change as the climate evolves. 

What's the difference between a PA and an assistant physician?

Missouri statutes state that an assistant physician is: 

1. "Assistant physician", any medical school graduate who:
1. Is a resident and citizen of the United States or is a legal resident alien;
2. Has successfully completed Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the equivalent of such step of any other board-approved medical licensing examination within the three-year period immediately preceding application for licensure as an assistant physician, or within three years after graduation from a medical college or osteopathic medical college, whichever is later;
3. Has not completed an approved postgraduate residency and has successfully completed Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the equivalent of such step of any other board-approved medical licensing examination within the immediately preceding three-year period unless when such three-year anniversary occurred he or she was serving as a resident physician in an accredited residency in the United States and continued to do so within thirty days prior to application for licensure as an assistant physician; and
4. Has proficiency in the English language;

Use of the assistant physician role is limited to underserved urban/rural areas of the state and primary care roles, and must have a collaborative practice agreement with a physician similar to PAs and NPs in Missouri. There are no board certifications or continued education requirements for this role.

When reviewing news articles, it is important to clarify if an assistant physician or PA was involved as there are clear differences in the training, role, etc.