Physician assistants and the practice of neurology

This is the first study of how physician assistants (PAs) function in neurology practice. Forty-six PAs who work full-time in a neurology practice were surveyed by telephone and by mail; 100% responded to all telephone survey questions on aspects of practice, and almost all responded to the mailed survey. Of these, 26 worked in a group practice; the average duration of neurology experience was 7 years. Diagnoses seen by these PAs were similar to those seen in most neurology practices. The scope of findings is limited but suggests that, in neurology settings where PAs are employed, they perform a broad range of functions. Furthermore, PAs in most neurology practices likely assist in off-loading patients whose requirements for care are considered "routine" by the PAs' supervising physician(s).