What is the difference between a physician and assistant?

A physician and a physician assistant (PA) are both medical professionals who provide healthcare services to patients. However, there are some key differences between the two professions.

Education and training

Physicians must complete a bachelor's degree, four years of medical school, and three to seven years of residency training. PAs must complete a bachelor's degree, two years of physician assistant school, and one year of clinical training.

Scope of practice

Physicians are licensed to practice medicine and can perform a wide range of medical procedures, including surgery, prescribe medications, and order diagnostic tests. PAs are licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician and can perform many of the same tasks as physicians, but they cannot perform surgery or prescribe medications.

Compensation

Physicians typically earn higher salaries than PAs. According to the American Medical Association, the median annual salary for physicians in 2019 was $208,000. The median annual salary for PAs in 2019 was $112,000.

Job outlook

The job outlook for physicians and PAs is expected to be good over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of physicians will grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029, and employment of PAs will grow by 31% during the same period.

Conclusion

Physicians and physician assistants are both important members of the healthcare team. While there are some differences between the two professions, both physicians and PAs provide valuable care to patients.