NAPA FAQ

1. What states can PA’s practice in? PA’s can practice in all 50 states and most overseas U.S. territories.

2. Can PA’s diagnose and order tests? PA’s can order and interpret diagnostic tests such as radiologic studies and bloodwork. Any test that an md can order a PA can order as well. Certain tests require additional training to interpret such as ct scans and mri. This is usually done by subspecialty physicians although there are a growing number of PA’s working in radiology.

3. Can PA’s perform surgery? PA’s tend to first assist an md surgeon in the operating room although many minor surgical clinics are now run entirely by PA’s. PA’s also can do all of the preoperative evaluation of the surgical PAtient as well as follow their entire postoperative course in the hospital and later in the surgical clinic.

4. What kind of education does a PA have? There are several entry points to the PA educational process although the content of all programs is essentially the same. One can get a certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree in PA school. Typically applicants apply to programs one step up from their current highest academic credential.

5. What are the requirements to obtain and keep a PA license? To be eligible to take the PA national certification exam ( PAnce) an applicant must be a graduate of an approved PA training program. Once an individual has PAssed PAnce they need 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years and they need to take the PA national recertification exam(PAnre) every 6 years

6. How many PA’s are there? AAPA estimates there were 75,260 people eligible to practice as PAs and 63,609 people in clinical practice as PAs at the beginning of 2007. ( see www.aaPA.org )

7. How long have PA’s been around? The first PA’s graduated from Duke University in 1967. There are now around 140 programs graduating over 12,000 new PA’s each year. ( see www.PAhx.org for a timeline of the PA profession).

8. What is a supervising doctor? A supervising or sponsoring physician (depending on the state) is a licensed physician who oversees the practice of a PA. With newer PA graduates this should be a very close mentoring and review of medical care rendered. As the PA becomes more experienced this may take the form of chart review or occasional conferences to discuss PAtient care issues.

9. Does the doctor have to be present in the clinic to supervise a PA? This varies by state. Some states require that the physician be present whenever the PA renders care. Other states require a certain number of md hours in clinic per week or per month. The vast majority of states only require that a physician be available by phone for consultation. Many PA’s run rural and inner city clinics without a physician ever coming to the worksite.

10. Can PA’s write prescriptions? PA’s can write prescriptions in all 50 states.

11. What specialties can PA’s practice in? PA’s can work in any specialty in which they can find a physician to sponsor them.

12. What is the difference between a PA and a doctor? A PA has a minimum of 2 years of medical training after undergraduate college coursework and a physician has 4 years of medical school. Physicians are required to complete a residency after medical school. These are at least 3 years in length. PA’s can do optional residencies (see www.apPAp.org) but are not required to do so at the current time.

13. What is the difference between a PA and a nurse practitioner? PA’s train in the medical model which is based on medical school teachings. PA programs are intensive 2-3 year full time programs requiring over 2000 hours of supervised clinical training after the completion of classroom studies. A typical PA student has a prior background in medicine as a PAramedic, respiratory therapist, nurse, medical assistant, or similar allied health profession. Nurse practitioners are nurses who do an additional 2 years of coursework in advanced nursing practice and theory. A typical nurse practitioner program has 500 to 800 hours of clinical training after the classroom phase.

Duke University has well regarded programs for both physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

ComPAre the programs via the links below: Family nurse practitioner program: http://www.nursing.duke.edu
Physician assistant program: http://PAprogram.mc.duke.edu/s_prog_curric.asp