Would a physician's assistant be able to diagnose a fractured nose? (surgery, doctor)

[PedroMartinez]

If you are in the medical field and fairly up to date on the training and proficiencies of a PA, would you say that a PA would be able to be fairly accurate in diagnosing a fractured nose?

[LakeLifePA]

It depends on the PA, but most are highly qualified and nearly as good as a primary physician.

[MAXIALE02]

I would say it depends on what their area of practice is. If the PA is working in dermatology, probably not. If working in ENT, probably yes. I work in an office of orthopedic surgeons who use PAs who see patients for pre and post-op visits. These PAs also go into surgery with their doctors. These PAs sometime have their own clinical hours. They have to answer to the Dr as the doctor is responsible for the PAs work and the patients care.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by MAXIALE02

I would say it depends on what their area of practice is. If the PA is working in dermatology, probably not. If working in ENT, probably yes. I work in an office of orthopedic surgeons who use PAs who see patients for pre and post-op visits. These PAs also go into surgery with their doctors. These PAs sometime have their own clinical hours. They have to answer to the Dr as the doctor is responsible for the PAs work and the patients care.

I'm talking about a PA in the office of a general practitioner.

[JrzDefector]

I would think yes. But the PA I know was previously a battlefield medic, so that's a whole other ball of wax.

[froglipz]

Absolutely, a PA is qualified to diagnose the nose

[wit-nit]

They should be. A broken nose shouldn't be difficult to diagnose.