What is the primary responsibility of a Physician Assistant (PA)?

The primary responsibility of a Physician Assistant (PA) is to manage routine patient care under the supervision of a physician. This encompasses a wide range of tasks, including taking patient histories, conducting physical exams, diagnosing conditions, developing treatment plans, and providing patient education. PAs work as part of a healthcare team, collaborating with physicians and other providers to ensure comprehensive patient care.

In contrast to independent practitioners, PAs are typically required to operate within a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician, which defines the scope of their duties and the extent of their authority. While they can perform many clinical tasks, their role is fundamentally about providing support and continuity of care alongside physicians, rather than executing complex procedures or making unilateral decisions without consultation.

The other choices involve aspects that do not fully encapsulate the PA’s primary role. For example, while diagnosing illnesses is part of a PA's responsibilities, it occurs within the context of managing patient care and under the guidance of their supervising physician. Similarly, conducting laboratory tests may be within a PA’s skills, but it is not their primary responsibility. Performing surgeries independently is typically outside the scope of practice for PAs, as surgical procedures usually require a supervising physician’s involvement and leadership.