What’s the Difference Between Doctors, PAs and NPs? 

The modern care team is robust, with every provider playing a role in helping you get the care you need, when you need it.

When you visit Emory Healthcare, you may be cared for by a highly trained medical provider like a physician assistant, or PA. They will listen to your health concerns, consult your records and provide next steps. In that same appointment, you may not meet with a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) at all.

You might wonder: Why didn’t I see a doctor? That’s a great question. Let’s break it down. 

Instead of seeing a doctor at primary care or in the emergency department, you might see a PA or a nurse practitioner (NP). PAs and NPs are part of a group called advanced practice providers (APPs).

APPs can:

• Diagnose and treat conditions
• Perform risk assessments
• Prescribe medications and therapies
• Order diagnostic tests and review results
• Help manage long-term conditions

So, what is the difference between doctors and APPs?

Essentially, doctors have the most extensive medical training and handle complex or rare conditions. APPs, like NPs and PAs, are licensed health care professionals who have advanced training and work closely with doctors to provide routine and ongoing care.

At Emory Healthcare, APPs and doctors work together to make sure you get timely, high-quality care. APPs help expand access and reduce wait times, while doctors provide oversight and handle more complex cases. It’s a team approach designed to support your health from every angle.

Both PAs and NPs are health care professionals who have completed additional training to be highly skilled members of the care team. For these roles, people must receive their bachelor’s degree and a masters or doctoral program.

PAs and NPs learn general medicine and may specialize in areas like:

• acute care
• cancer care
• cardiology
• emergency care
• family medicine
• geriatric care
• orthopaedics
  
• pediatric care
• surgery
• women’s health

NPs and PAs must maintain state licensure, pass national certification exams and complete continuing education. Meeting these standards makes sure APPs follow the latest guidelines for effective care based on rigorous research (also known as evidence-based care).

There are benefits to seeing a PA or NP. APPs offer many of the same services as your doctor, but their schedules are more flexible. They can typically provide faster access to care and can spend more time with you.

For instance, with an APP you can:

• Get routine tests ordered sooner
• Manage chronic conditions without having to wait for an appointment with your primary physician
• Schedule follow-up visits with an APP after procedures or after being in the hospital

At Emory, APPs and doctors are a team. They talk often, share ideas and coordinate care plans together. This teamwork helps you get safe, fast and personal care.

The state of Georgia requires that physicians oversee NPs and PAs. This means a doctor is always available to consult, review and co-manage cases — especially those that are beyond the APP’s scope. Communication between your providers is constant and coordinated.

Here’s how that might look:

• In primary care, an NP might manage your yearly wellness exam, adjust your medications and organize follow-up care. At any time, a physician may consult with you about your care.
• With their advanced clinical skills, an APP might assess, diagnose and treat conditions in the emergency department. Their integration into the emergency team not only helps meet the growing demand for emergency services, but also contributes to better patient outcomes and a more streamlined care process.
• If surgery is part of your care, PAs often assist in operations, provide support before and after surgery and join with surgeons to monitor your recovery.

Your care, your choice

You can always ask questions about your care team. When you make an appointment, here are some questions that can help keep you in the know:

• Who will I see?
• What’s their role on my care team?
• How will my doctor be involved?

At Emory Healthcare, every provider — doctor, NP or PA — is here to support your health. You’ll get expert care from someone who listens, understands and helps you feel your best.