title: Physician assistants as partners in physician-directed care.
abstract: 1998 marked the acceptance of Physician Assistants (PAs) as members in the Southern Medical Association. We review the history of the PA profession and, more importantly, the physician/PA relationship. We also provide an overview of PA education and certification requirements. Variations in state law regarding PA utilization, including the delegation of prescribing privileges, are discussed. Current American Medical Association guidelines regarding physician/PA practice are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008004:Licensure; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000266:history / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians; D011364:Professional Practice; D012955:Societies, Medical; D015144:Southeastern United States