Physician Assistants
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
How AI Impacts Each Task
12 tasks analyzed
Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
Obtain, compile and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination.
Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.
Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition. | 66.38Observed | 35.6% | 15% | |
| Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients. | 67.85Observed | 54.1% | 15% | |
| Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 10% | |
| Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal. | 57.45Observed | 50.0% | 10% | |
| Obtain, compile and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination. | 37.5Observed | 64.2% | 15% | |
| Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 5% | |
| Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance. | 58.63Observed | 38.5% | 10% | |
| Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 5% | |
| Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Physician Assistants skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
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SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
VA clinical staff rushed to use generative AI without oversight, watchdog finds
A new watchdog report reveals that healthcare workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs adopted generative AI tools without proper guidance. The push to innovate quickly may have exposed the agency to significant security and operational vulnerabilities.
Survey: AI Saves Clinicians Time But Healthcare Workers Lack Training
Despite widespread adoption reducing administrative burdens, a majority of healthcare professionals report receiving zero formal instruction on how to safely and effectively integrate these new tools into their daily workflows.
Philips Survey: 71% of Clinicians Say AI Tools Boost Workflow Efficiency
A global survey of over 2,000 healthcare professionals reveals that artificial intelligence is actively reducing administrative burnout. Doctors are using these tools to handle larger patient loads and streamline daily tasks.
Beyond the screen: How ambient AI is changing the exam room
Clinicians are adopting ambient AI to automatically handle medical documentation and EHR requirements during patient visits. This shift reduces administrative burnout and fundamentally changes the daily workflow of healthcare providers.
Around 3/4 of Doctors Now Use AI Regularly
This is up from 38% last year. Nurses are now at 70% vs 46% last year. There's growing concern in health care that clinicians will start losing critical thinking and decision making skills. Most common use case is to summarize medical literature followed by medical literature based discovery.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis