Which health professional is responsible for taking medical histories and performing physical exams?

The role of a Physician Assistant (PA) includes various responsibilities, one of which is taking medical histories and performing physical exams. PAs are healthcare professionals who practice medicine in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers. They are trained to evaluate patients, order tests, diagnose illnesses, and develop treatment plans. Their extensive medical training allows them to perform many of the same functions as a doctor, including conducting comprehensive physical assessments and gathering detailed medical histories. This training equips them to provide high-quality care and support the medical team effectively.

In contrast, a Medical Assistant primarily performs administrative tasks and supports clinical staff in various capacities but is usually not responsible for taking medical histories or conducting physical exams independently. A Doctor of Chiropractic also specializes in musculoskeletal health but focuses on spinal adjustments and may not perform physical exams in the same scope as a PA. A Doctor of Medicine is indeed responsible for these tasks, but the question specifies the role that traditionally encompasses those responsibilities in a collaborative setting, which aligns with the PA's scope of practice.