Physician Assistant vs. Dermatologist: What Are the Differences?

A physician assistant (PA) and dermatologist are both medical professionals who provide care to patients. PAs are trained to provide a wide range of medical services, while dermatologists focus specifically on the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions. If you’re interested in a career in medicine, learning about the similarities and differences between these two positions can help you decide which is right for you. In this article, we compare and contrast PAs and dermatologists, including their education, job duties and salary information.

What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician Assistants provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services under the supervision of a licensed physician. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests and provide patient education. Physician Assistants also develop treatment plans, prescribe medications and assist in surgery. They may provide care for acute and chronic conditions such as infections, injuries and chronic diseases. Physician Assistants typically work in physician’s offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.

What is a Dermatologist?

Dermatologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, hair and nails. They may also provide cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance of their patients’ skin. Dermatologists typically complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by a four-year medical degree. They then complete a three-year residency in dermatology. Dermatologists are able to treat a wide range of conditions, from acne and psoriasis to skin cancer and cosmetic concerns. They use a variety of treatments, including topical medications, oral medications, light therapy, lasers and surgery.

Physician Assistant vs. Dermatologist

Here are the main differences between a physician assistant and a dermatologist.

Job Duties

While dermatologists and physician assistants share some duties, they also have many differences in the tasks they perform. For example, a dermatologist may perform surgeries to remove skin tumors or treat acne. They can also prescribe medications for these conditions and other skin disorders. In contrast, a physician assistant cannot perform surgeries without being supervised by a dermatologist or another physician. Also, while physician assistants can prescribe certain medications, dermatologists are prohibited from doing so.

Another difference between dermatologists and physician assistants is that the former often works with patients who have more serious skin conditions. For example, a patient with melanoma may see a dermatologist because their expertise is necessary to determine if the condition is life-threatening. Conversely, physician assistants typically work with patients who have common skin conditions like acne or ingrown hairs.

Job Requirements

Physician assistants (PAs) and dermatologists both need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter their respective fields. PAs typically earn a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, while dermatologists often pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology or another relevant field. After completing their undergraduate studies, PAs must attend a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). These programs usually last about 27 months and include coursework and clinical rotations. Dermatologists must then attend medical school and complete a residency program in dermatology, which could take several years.

Both PAs and dermatologists must obtain licensure before they can begin practicing. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) offers the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which PAs must pass to earn their certification. To become licensed, dermatologists must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Work Environment

Both physician assistants and dermatologists work in a variety of environments, depending on the needs of their patients. For example, if a patient has skin cancer that requires surgery, they may see a dermatologist who performs the procedure in an operating room. Alternatively, if a patient is experiencing acne or another common condition, they may visit a physician assistant for treatment.

Physician assistants can also work in hospitals, clinics, private practices and nursing homes. Dermatologists typically work in medical offices, but some may have their own practice where they perform procedures like biopsies and administer medications to treat conditions.

Skills

Both physician assistants and dermatologists need to have excellent communication skills. They will use these skills when they are interacting with patients, discussing treatment options and answering questions.

Both physician assistants and dermatologists also need to be able to think critically and solve problems. This is important because they will often need to diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans.

Physician assistants benefit from having strong organizational skills. This is because they may work in busy medical offices and need to keep track of patients’ files, appointments and test results. Dermatologists may also benefit from having strong organizational skills, but they may not need them to the same extent as physician assistants. This is because dermatologists typically see fewer patients than physician assistants and may have more time to complete paperwork and file patient records.

Dermatologists need to have strong attention to detail. This is because they need to be able to identify skin conditions and prescribe the correct treatments. Physician assistants do not need to have the same level of attention to detail as dermatologists, but it is still beneficial for them to be able to pay close attention to patients’ symptoms and medical histories.

Salary

Physician assistants can earn an average salary of $106,398 per year, while dermatologists can earn an average salary of $279,928 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the state in which you work, the size of the company you work for and your level of experience.