In today’s healthcare system, both physician assistants and doctors play critical roles. While they both work to help patients, their education, responsibilities, and career paths differ significantly.
So, what is the difference between a physician assistant versus doctor, and why does it matter?
This article aims to clear up any confusion. We’ll break down the key distinctions in their training, what they’re allowed to do on the job, and how their careers typically progress. With a growing need for both professions, understanding these roles is more important than ever for anyone navigating the medical world.
Defining the roles: Physician Assistant vs. Medical Doctor
While both physician assistants and medical doctors are highly trained medical professionals, there are key distinctions in their roles, responsibilities, and training.
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
PAs practice medicine under a doctor’s supervision. They can perform physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret medical tests, assist in surgery, and prescribe medication. The specific scope of a PA’s practice can vary based on state laws and the preferences of their supervising physician.
Many PAs work in primary care, but they can also specialize in areas such as ambulatory medicine, behavioral medicine, cardiology, and emergency medicine.
What Does a Doctor Do?
Doctors (MDs or DOs) have a wider scope of practice and greater independence than PAs. They can independently diagnose and treat complex medical conditions and perform surgeries.
Doctors can specialize in many different medical fields through residency and fellowship programs. They often lead medical teams and are responsible for their patients’ overall medical care.
Education and Training: How Do They Stack Up?
The path to becoming a physician assistant is shorter than the one to becoming a medical doctor. Here’s a look at the education and training requirements for both professions.
Physician Assistant Education
To get into a PA program, you typically need a bachelor’s degree and some experience in the healthcare field. PA programs usually take two to three years to complete, and you’ll earn a master’s degree when you’re done.
The PA curriculum is all about getting you ready for clinical practice. You’ll learn practical skills and medical knowledge through classes, lab work, and clinical rotations in different medical specialties.
Medical Doctor Education
Becoming a medical doctor takes longer. You’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree, followed by four years of medical school. But the training doesn’t stop there. Doctors then complete a residency program, which can last from three to seven years, depending on the specialty they choose.
Some doctors even go on to do fellowships for even more specialized training.
Medical school is more in-depth and focuses on giving you a deep understanding of scientific knowledge, research, and clinical training.
Scope of Practice and Autonomy: Key Differences
One of the biggest differences between physician assistants and doctors is their scope of practice. PAs always work under a doctor’s supervision, though how much supervision varies.
Even if a PA is mostly autonomous, a supervising physician must always be available for questions and guidance. However, in some states, PAs have a lot of independence.
Doctors (MDs and DOs) have independent practice authority. They’re responsible for every aspect of patient care, and they can make medical decisions on their own. Doctors can perform surgeries and manage complex cases without someone looking over their shoulder.
It’s important to remember that state laws determine what tasks PAs can perform. So, the scope of practice for PAs can vary from state to state.
Lifestyle and Work-Life Balance
Physician assistants frequently report better work-life balance than doctors. They tend to work fewer hours and have less on-call responsibility. Because their training is shorter, they also enter the workforce sooner and with less debt.
In contrast, doctors often work long hours, take frequent on-call shifts, and carry significant debt. Their jobs can be demanding and require a considerable time commitment. However, this varies depending on their specialty and practice setting. A dermatologist will likely have more consistent hours than a surgeon, for example.
Choosing between becoming a PA or an MD/DO often boils down to your priorities and work-life balance preferences. Do you want to spend more time outside of work, or would you rather have more autonomy and responsibility?
Compensation and Career Advancement
Physician assistants generally earn less than medical doctors, but their salaries do increase as they get more experience.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a PA is about $121,530. Entry-level PAs can expect to make around $76,700, while those with 20 years of experience or more can make $162,470.
In comparison, the average physician salary is about $352,000, according to Medscape’s 2024 Physician Compensation Report. Primary care doctors make around $265,000, while orthopedic surgeons can make upwards of $605,000.
PAs can advance their careers by specializing in a certain field, taking on leadership roles in their practice, or becoming a supervising PA, where they oversee other PAs.
Final Thoughts
Physician assistants (PAs) and medical doctors (MDs) are both essential members of the healthcare team. Choosing between the two career paths is a personal decision based on your own goals, priorities, and preferences.
Think carefully about the length of education required, the scope of practice for each role, what kind of work-life balance you want, and your salary expectations. The right choice for someone else may not be the right choice for you.
Finally, do your research and, if possible, shadow a PA and a physician to get a better sense of what each profession is really like.