Many patients are accustomed to just having a physician, but those times are changing. There are increasing numbers of medical practices that are employing physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). When this trend began, it was mostly in family and general practices, but that too is changing. The specialty practices such as cardiology are starting to employ PAs and NPs to provide patient care.

Both PAs and NPs receive advanced training and licensure that allows them to practice medicine without the direct supervision of a physician. As part of their responsibilities, they conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases, order and interpret diagnostic tests, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions. They do work closely with physicians on difficult or unusual cases.

Even with the growing popularity, some patients are still hesitant to seek medical care from a PA or NP. Do you really need a doctor though? In the case of a simple illness or injury, the answer is often "no". PAs and NPs are more than qualified to handle these simple situations. So the next time the doctor's office asks if the PA or NP is okay, the answer is "yes".