Locations:
SearchAdvertisement
The Short Answer from one of our experts
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
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
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
Bleeding is a risk and warrants taking care, but the reward of this lifesaving medication is great
Some natural home remedies may offer relief, but they lack scientific evidence and won’t typically cure the condition
Some types of expired meds may not be harmful, but they probably aren’t worth the risk
Leaving footwear on invites germs, bacteria, toxins and other unwanted guests into your home
Besides questionable effectiveness, herbal supplements aren’t safe for everyone
A healthy diet can easily meet your body’s important demands for magnesium
A super high heart rate means you’re burning more than fat
Type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable with these dietary changes
