A Physician Assistant, or PA, is an advanced practice clinician who is licensed to practice medicine in collaboration with a supervising physician or surgeon. PAs are licensed to treat and diagnose disease, prescribe therapies and medications, order and interpret tests, and perform other clinical duties as delegated by their collaborating physician.
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) has an excellent post on this topic, including a short video describing PA’s and their important role in today’s health care system.