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
Hospitals deploy internal AI chatbots to control clinical workflows
Healthcare systems are rolling out proprietary AI assistants to prevent staff from using public tools like ChatGPT for patient data. The shift includes Medicare's new ACCESS pilot and Utah's ongoing 'AI doctor' experiment, directly altering how clinicians work.
AI Telemedicine Pilot in Indonesia Signals Shift in Primary Care Delivery
South Korea and Indonesia are partnering to deploy AI-based teleconsultation services across the Asia-Pacific. The initiative will test how artificial intelligence can supplement primary healthcare workers in regions with medical staff shortages.
AI Chatbots Compete with Doctors for Patient Consultations
A new Pew survey reveals Americans are increasingly bypassing medical professionals to seek digital-first health advice from chatbots. While users value the convenience over accuracy, this trend threatens to disrupt traditional patient-provider relationships and triage roles.
FDA Prioritizes Clinical AI That Acts as General Medical Assistants
Regulators are prioritizing comprehensive AI systems that solve multiple clinical problems at once rather than narrow diagnostic tools. This shift signals that future medical AI will act more like a general assistant than a specialized instrument.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis