According to the 2008 census report

PAs practice in:

family and general medicine

(25.9 percent)

general internal medicine and its subspecialties (15.6 percent)

general surgery and surgical subspecialties (25.1 percent)

pediatrics and pediatric

subspecialties (4.3 percent)

emergency medicine (10.5 percent)

occupational medicine (2.3 percent)

obstetrics and gynecology (2.3 percent)

dermatology (3.6 percent) and other areas of medicine.

Thank you so much for your interest in the Master of Physician Assistant degree program at the Medical College of Georgia.

■ PROFESSIONAL TASKS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physician assistant, working with physicians and other health professionals, performs many clinical functions that enable the physician to devote more time to duties requiring his particular knowledge and skill. The physician assistant performs duties based on guidelines established by the state granting licensure. In most settings the physician assistant obtains medical histories, performs physical examinations, orders and interprets laboratory results and other information and assesses and treats common illnesses, including writing prescriptions. Disease prevention and health promotion activities, counseling and patient education are other important services provided by the physician assistant. Successful completion of the National Certifying Examination is required to practice as a physician assistant in Georgia.

■ SKILLS AND INTERESTS SUITED TO A CAREER AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Physician assistants need the ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned judgment in handling emergencies, an orientation toward service and intelligence. A solid background in math and science is helpful as well.

Related career interests include medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and any patient-contact field.