P.A Specialties
P.A Specialties
alright, so i'm preparing for P.A school and am considering the different specialties...orthopedics, pediatrics, cardiology, etc... Are there certain physician assistant schools that specialize in different discipline's or is the curriculum more general in nature for all of these schools?? I bring this to attention becasue im considering cardiothoracic surgery as my field of choice but want to know if there are any schools that specialize in this field.?? If anyone could help me out with this question, it woould be much appreciate
Re: P.A Specialties
Are you looking for a program in any specific area?? I only know of NYU which offers a residential program for cardiothoracic surgery.
Re: P.A Specialties
Most schools don't have a particular focus, but some do emphasize primary care, since it's in such short supply and PAs are all trained (at least initially) as generalists.
The main thing: there's nothing about going to one school (no matter its emphasis) that would preclude you from going into any particular specialty when you graduate. People change their minds. The PA curriculum is generalized so that PAs have flexibility in where they work when they're done.
Just get your PA and then all options are open to you.
The main thing: there's nothing about going to one school (no matter its emphasis) that would preclude you from going into any particular specialty when you graduate. People change their minds. The PA curriculum is generalized so that PAs have flexibility in where they work when they're done.
Just get your PA and then all options are open to you.
Re: P.A Specialties
Hi Paul,
Thanks so much for the awesome site. Two questions about PA specialties.....do PA's work in anesthesiology at all? I know there are AA's and CRNA's, but it seems PA's do work in every field of medicine - (I would be interested in anesthesiology as a PA). Also, as far as surgical PA's go, are there certain specialties that PA's would spend more time in the operating room, versus other surgical specialties where they might do less OR time and more admin stuff? I know this largely depends on the physician and the amount of skill/experience the PA possesses, but I'm curious if there are any general trends. Thanks so much - your site has been super helpful!
AK
Thanks so much for the awesome site. Two questions about PA specialties.....do PA's work in anesthesiology at all? I know there are AA's and CRNA's, but it seems PA's do work in every field of medicine - (I would be interested in anesthesiology as a PA). Also, as far as surgical PA's go, are there certain specialties that PA's would spend more time in the operating room, versus other surgical specialties where they might do less OR time and more admin stuff? I know this largely depends on the physician and the amount of skill/experience the PA possesses, but I'm curious if there are any general trends. Thanks so much - your site has been super helpful!
AK
Re: P.A Specialties
PAs (strictly speaking) don't do anesthesia. But there are a few programs for "Anesthesiology Assistant," and of course the Nurse Anesthatist that you mentioned.
I would say that surgery specialties for PAs have more to do with the position than the specialty. For instance, in my cardiothoracic surgery rotation, the two "lead" PAs did all of the surgeries, plus other duties like meeting with patients before and after surgery. There was one (non "lead") PA who didn't help in the OR much, but instead worked on the surgical floor following up with patients.
All of them had admin work to do, the most extensive of which was discharge planning. If you want to go into this specialty, know this: these guys work HARD. Many long hours, and serious work that has little room for error. But they were impressive...
I would say that surgery specialties for PAs have more to do with the position than the specialty. For instance, in my cardiothoracic surgery rotation, the two "lead" PAs did all of the surgeries, plus other duties like meeting with patients before and after surgery. There was one (non "lead") PA who didn't help in the OR much, but instead worked on the surgical floor following up with patients.
All of them had admin work to do, the most extensive of which was discharge planning. If you want to go into this specialty, know this: these guys work HARD. Many long hours, and serious work that has little room for error. But they were impressive...
Re: P.A Specialties
Thanks Paul. I really appreciate the insight!
Re: P.A Specialties
Are there any PA's that work in an ICU setting?
Re: P.A Specialties
Yes, there are plenty of PAs who work in ICU, CCU, PICU. The specialty is called critical care medicine.