The role of physician assistants as health educators: A national study

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of physician assistants as health educators. Empirical data relative to the role of the physician in health education does not exist. The primary function of the physician assistant is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care in order to free the supervising physician to spend more time with complex patient problems that a physician will be better able to treat. Patient education and counseling may be vital roles in the functioning of a physician assistant.;The methodology used in this study consisted of five distinct phases. The study examines and explores the role of physician assistants as health educators by utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methods. The data from the final survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, cross tabulation and chi square analysis.;The results of this study demonstrated that physician assistants provide health education in their daily practice. Over 50% of the respondents indicated that health education is included in their job description. There is a significant relationship between the requirement of health education as a job requirement and the percentage of time spent providing health education in their daily practices.;This study will benefit physician assistants, the physicians who supervise them and physician assistant educators. The awareness that physician assistants provide health education needs to be followed up by further studies on their scope of practice and teaming with health education providers in academic and clinical settings.