What role does a primary care physician play in relation to a physician assistant?

A primary care physician plays a crucial role in supervising the primary care services offered by a physician assistant. This supervision ensures that the physician assistant is delivering safe and effective patient care within the boundaries of their training and scope of practice. The primary care physician is responsible for overseeing the treatment plans, making clinical decisions, and providing guidance, which helps maintain high standards of care and addresses any complexities that may arise in patient management.

While mentorship can be part of a primary care physician's relationship with a physician assistant, it's not their primary role in practice and does not encompass the full scope of supervision required in a clinical setting. Similarly, the provision of payment for services or handling administrative tasks does not accurately reflect the supervisory and collaborative dynamic required in patient care settings. Therefore, supervising the services provided is essential to ensure quality healthcare delivery and patient safety.