How are physician assistants and doctors different?

Education & training: A physician goes to college, then medical school and then has training in a residency and perhaps a fellowship. A physician's assistant has college and then pa school. They work with physicians under their close direction to assist the physician in seeing patients with problems appropriate to a pa's training and expertise. There are strict guidlines for their practice by state.

Training : Physician assistants have much, but not all, of the training of a medical doctor, and must work under the license and supervision of a doctor. But from many things, and in many areas of specialization, pas can perform many of the functions of an md, and are invaluable parts of the health provider team, including nps (nurse practitioners), rns (reg. Nurses), and crnas (cert. R. Nurse anesthetists).