physician assistant

noun

Definition of physician assistant

: a person certified to provide basic medical services usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA, physician's assistant

Examples of physician assistant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some also allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other medical professionals to write them. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Actually Counts as a Medical Exemption for Vaccines—and What's at Stake When They're Abused," 26 Aug. 2019 In fact, the Westminster resident is a physician assistant with Dr. Wilbur Kuo and Associates in Eldersburg. Jon Kelvey, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Carroll Biz Challenge: Finalist KnowMe aims to put your medical records on your wrist," 6 Aug. 2019 The walk-in clinic’s experienced staff of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners can treat the entire family with quality care and personal service. courant.com, "Community News For The Putnam-Killingly Edition," 29 July 2019 Tubbs’ physician assistant makes a weekly visit, but there’s no indication Fillmore saw medical staff while locked up. Sharon Cohen, The Denver Post, "AP Investigation: Many U.S. jails fail to stop inmate suicides," 18 June 2019 Studies show the state could be down by as many as 10,000 primary care clinicians, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Elizabeth Aguilera, The Mercury News, "Paging more doctors: California’s worsening physician shortage," 20 Aug. 2019 In addition to more residency spots, the health care system must allow more nurse practitioners and physician assistants to practice independently. Perrie Briskin, Vox, "Why we should let more foreign doctors practice in America," 7 Aug. 2019 Founded in downtown Escondido by Dr. Martin Graybill during the Great Depression, Graybill has grown significantly with 12 office locations, more than 60 doctors and 20 nurse practitioners and physician assistants. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Affiliation deal in the works for one of region’s oldest medical groups," 17 July 2019 Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are the jobs that are expected to grow the most — more than 30 percent — and also have the highest pay among the top occupations. Marcia Heroux Pounds, sun-sentinel.com, "Check out the fastest-growing jobs in South Florida," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physician assistant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of physician assistant

1958, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for physician assistant

physician assistant

noun
physician as·​sis·​tant | \ -ə-ˈsis-tənt\
variants: also physician's assistant

Medical Definition of physician assistant

: a specially trained person who is certified to provide basic medical services (as the diagnosis and treatment of common ailments) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA