Physician assistants must be knowledgeable about the scientific basis of medicine and be able to apply that knowledge to clinical problem solving and the care of patients.

Physician assistants must engage in independent learning to remain current in their knowledge. Medical knowledge includes an understanding of pathophysiology, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion and disease prevention. 

Physician assistants must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice.  

In addition, physician assistants are expected to demonstrate an investigatory and analytical thinking approach to clinical situations. 

Physician assistants are expected to demonstrate the following. 

• Knowledge of the normal anatomical structure and function (physiological and psychological) of the human body as a whole and of each of its major organ systems, throughout the life cycle, to include developmental (infancy and adolescence) and aging processes.
• Knowledge of the various causes (genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, immunologic, neoplastic, degenerative, psychological and traumatic) of disease and how it affects homeostasis (pathogenesis).
• Knowledge of the altered structure and function (pathology and pathophysiology) of the body and its major organ systems that occur in clinically and pathophysiologically important diseases and conditions.
• Knowledge of the basic mechanisms of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic modalities employed in the prevention and treatment of disease and amelioration of pain and suffering.
• Knowledge of the economic, psychological, occupational, social and cultural factors affecting health and illness.
• Knowledge of the epidemiology of common illnesses and the systematic approaches useful in reducing the incidence and prevalence of those illnesses.
• Knowledge of disease and injury prevention practices in the care of individual patients and their families and the community.
• Knowledge of the various types of family planning and their potential impact on the patient, the family and society.
• Knowledge of the physical and psychological aspects of aging and dying and a commitment to support and appropriately counsel patients and their families.
• The ability to describe the principles and application of evidence-based medicine in establishing the causation of disease and therapeutic efficacy of treatment.
• The ability to recognize how factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, functional limitations, languages, belief systems, and socioeconomic status impact health, perceptions of well-being and medical care of culturally diverse and medically underserved populations.
• Knowledge of the forms and value of complementary medicine as employed in the treatment of disease.
• The ability to recognize the impact of chronic disease and disability on a patient’s ability to function in society.

• Knowledge of the basic principles and ethics of clinical and translational research and how such research is conducted, evaluated, and applied to the care of patients. 

Physician assistant students must be able to provide person-centered care that is evidence-based, compassionate, effective and appropriate for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

Physician assistant students must be able to

• provide health care services aimed at maintaining health and well-being and treating patients with acute and chronic conditions;
• obtain an accurate, comprehensive medical history that respects individual differences, as it relates to the patient’s health status;
• communicate clearly—verbally, in writing and electronically with patients, patients’ families and colleagues;
• conduct a thorough and accurate physical and psychiatric evaluation in patients of all ages;
• perform routine technical procedures;
• interpret and integrate clinical data, including laboratory, radiology and pathology studies;
• reason deductively in solving clinical problems;
• construct appropriate management strategies (both diagnostic and therapeutic) for patients with common acute and chronic conditions including medical, psychiatric and surgical conditions; those requiring short and long-term rehabilitation; and those with serious conditions requiring critical care;
• appropriately relieve pain and ameliorate the suffering of patients; and
• incorporate the findings of emerging clinical and translational research into clinical decision-making and problem-solving and be able to explain how the findings apply to patient care.  

Physician assistant students must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system.

Physician assistant students must demonstrate

• the ability to interact and communicate respectfully, effectively and empathetically with patients, their families and the public across all ages and all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; 
• the ability to address sensitive health care issues in an effective, compassionate and non-judgmental manner, including screening for alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual behavior and delivering bad news; 
• the ability to communicate scientific and medical knowledge to help educate patients about their health, and healthcare decisions, and ensure adequate understanding;
• effective communication and collaboration with other members of a multidisciplinary health care team; and 
• the ability to communicate accurate patient information verbally, in writing or electronically, to colleagues and healthcare workers. 

Professionalism embodies the responsibilities of a physician assistant that go beyond knowledge and technical skills and enables the delivery of health care.

Professionalism includes honesty, maintaining patient confidentiality and trust, mutual respect and commitment to the welfare of patients. Professionalism also requires that physician assistants must know their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency, or mental illness. Physician assistants must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. 

Physician assistant students must 

• demonstrate personal motivation, compassion, reliability, integrity and honesty in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues and other healthcare professionals; 
• demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest; 
• demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, ethical and legal principles in all aspects of patient care, including beneficence, justice, confidentiality, privacy, informed consent and patient autonomy; 
• understand legal and regulatory requirements including the appropriate role of the physician assistant; 
• demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to diversity among patients, providing effective care that respects interpersonal differences in age, ethnicity, cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and spirituality; 
• maintain professional relationships with physician supervisors and other healthcare providers; 
• serve as a healthcare advocate for individual patients and all patient populations; 
• recognize their abilities and limitations, participate in ongoing self-assessment, actively seek and respond to feedback, and continuously strive to improve patient care and person-centered interactions; 
• demonstrate attentiveness to professional and medical errors and work to reduce such errors in all aspects of patient care; 
• maintain a professional image in behavior and attire to demonstrate respect for the patient and the environment in which the patient care is given; and 
• engage in independent learning to stay abreast of the scientific advances relevant to the current practice of medicine and emerging technologies. 

Physician assistant students must be able to place their role as patient care provider within the greater context of the healthcare system. Students must commit to lifelong learning and professional improvement, which include honest and thoughtful self-evaluation and analysis of practice patterns and outcomes within the framework of standards of care and best practices, as defined by scientific evidence.

Physician assistant students must demonstrate

• awareness of strengths, deficiencies, and limits in knowledge and skills; 
• an ability to set goals and pursue opportunities to acquire new knowledge that can be applied to patient care; 
• the skills to improve patient care by thoughtful analysis of their own patient population and pertinent characteristics of the communities from which their patients derive; 
• the ability to identify and apply epidemiologic, statistical and scientific evidence towards the effectiveness and practicality of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities with the goal of improved quality of patient care; 
• the appropriate roles of technology and information management as they pertain to both education and patient care; 
• the skills to work in a multidisciplinary team that incorporates parallel and synergistic professions working toward the same goals; 
• the ability to give and receive constructive nonjudgmental feedback from/to all sources to enhance patient care and the function of the team; and 
• use of knowledge and communication skills to facilitate the education of patients, families, trainees, peers and other healthcare professionals. 

Students must demonstrate knowledge of the multiple systems engaged in the provision of healthcare and the ability to use system resources to provide optimal patient care.

Students must

• demonstrate awareness of how their patient care and other professional activities affect other healthcare professionals, the healthcare organizations in which they work and to society at large, and how these elements affect their own practice; 
• demonstrate knowledge of and respect for the roles of other healthcare professionals, and the ways in which they may collaborate in the care of both individuals and communities; 
• describe the major organizational models of healthcare delivery, including the ways in which such models are important in controlling health care costs and allocating resources; 
• practice cost effective healthcare and resources while maintaining a high quality of patient care; 
• identify and use resources and ancillary healthcare services for all patients, including patients facing barriers to access to healthcare; and 
• demonstrate an awareness of the complexities of medical practice with regard to ethical and legal issues.