The first and only comprehensive physician assistant text, this up-to-date edition covers all aspects of the physician assistant profession, the PA curriculum, and the PA's role in practice. The text is divided into five sections--Overview, Core Competencies, The Health Care System, Roles and Settings, and Current Issues--in an easy-to-use textbook format that features convenient tables and clear illustrations, as well as case studies and clinical application questions. Readers will find this book invaluable throughout their course of study, when entering the job market, and as an excellent reference in clinical practice. A solid overview of the PA profession and pertinent information on specific specialties and courses throughout the curriculum can be helpful as readers prepare for clinical rotations. Written by PAs for Pas, bringing practical knowledge and clinical expertise to the text. Well known, highly regarded contributors lend credibility to the discussions. Case studies throughout the book describe situations that PAs are likely to be faced with in practice, along with an explanation of how the situation can be addressed and handled. Clinical Applications present suggestions and activities for students to further explore subjects, designed to help develop critical thinking skills. A variety of procedures typically performed by PAs are introduced and described, familiarizing the reader with how to perform them on the job. New chapters: Medical Legal Issues; Practicing Evidence Based Medicines; Insurance Coverage Who Has It and Who Doesn't; Alternative Delivery Sites; Orthopedics; Dermatology; Hematology and Oncology; Infectious Disease Medicine; Genetics in Primary Care; Alternative and Complimentary Medicine; and Violence Prevention. Several new chapters such as Orthopedics and Dermatology address topics related to areas in which PAs frequently work, providing an overview that gives students a better understanding of these areas. Other new chapters such as Practicing Evidence Based Medicine are hot topics in medicine today that PAs need to be knowledgeable about in practice. Web sites that contain relevant information to the chapter topic are included to reinforce the role of the Internet as an effective tool for researching and obtaining information to be used on the job. Case studies in every chapter are highlighted as headings in the chapter outline to draw the reader's attention to them.