More states are lifting restrictions and regulatory hurdles to allow physician assistants to work more “collaboratively” with physicians as the team-based approach to healthcare takes hold.

Historically, states have required physicians to more closely monitor physician assistants (PAs) in what some have said led to redundant tasks or slowed the ability of patients to get the care they needed in a timely fashion.

But physician assistants -- like nurse practitioners -- are successfully convincing lawmakers and governors to break down regulatory hurdles to their patients for a variety of reasons, including the physician shortage and general comfort U.S. patients have with being treated by someone other than a doctor. Such changes to regulations, or scope of practice laws, are the result of state legislative sessions that are just wrapping up this spring.

To read the complete article click here.