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physician assistant
noun
: a person certified to provide basic medical services usually under the supervision of a licensed physician
called also PA, physician's assistant
Examples of physician assistant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over 98% of union members, which range from physician assistants and pharmacists to clinical lab scientists and language interpreters, voted in favor.
—Shawna Chen, Axios, 2 Nov. 2024
Each state individually determines regulations regarding nurse practitioner and physician assistant practice.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2024
The legislature overrode the veto, and the law enables nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to provide care.
—CBS News, 10 Oct. 2024
This vaccine is not required if the child has had chickenpox and has documentation of it from a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse prescriber
2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine.
—Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1958, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of physician assistant was
in 1958
Dictionary Entries Near physician assistant
Cite this Entry
“Physician assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician%20assistant. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
physician assistant
noun
physician as·sis·tant
-ə-ˈsis-tənt
variants
also physician's assistant
: a specially trained person who is certified to provide basic medical services (as the diagnosis and treatment of common ailments) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician
called also PA
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