Pharmacists are not physician assistants

Physician assistants and bioterrorism preparedness.

Despite the resources dedicated since 2001 to training health providers in emergency and bioterrorism preparedness and response, the literature on the participation of physician assistants (PAs) is very limited. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the training level and experiences of PAs in the diagnosis and treatment of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive age...

Tightening Up the Nomenclature for Non-Physician Clinicians: Why Not Call All of Them Physician Assistants?

T his Letter is in reference to the article by KD Rao et al., ‘‘As good as physicians: patient perceptions of physicians and non-physician clinicians in rural primary health centers in India,’’ published in the November 2013 edition of Global Health: Science and Practice (GHSP). The authors have to be lauded for their efforts to produce evidence on patient perceptions of care provided by non-ph...

Physician assistants in the Netherlands.

Physician and Physician Assistants’ Use of the Electronic Medical Record

It is critically important that physicians and physician assistants maintain accurate, timely, and consistent medical records to ensure delivery of high-quality, safe, and integrated medical care. The electronic medical record (EMR) offers a number of potential benefits over the paper medical record. However, as with any innovation, there are challenges and potential hazards in its meaningful u...

The birth of physician assistants in Canada.

By now, most Canadian physicians will have some familiarity with physician assistants (PAs). Physician assistants are physician extenders who are trained under a medical model. They are not independent practitioners, but instead complement physicians by practising within the supervising physicians’ scope of practice. This occupation is being actively piloted in Ontario, and Manitoba has regulat...