Will AI replace Physician Assistants?
AI can do 32% of the work Physician Assistants do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 12 tasks, while 2 more are ready but barely used so far. 9 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 7% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.Mostly automated7% of time
AI could do this next2 · 25% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.20% of time
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.5% of time
Still needs a person9 · 68% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.16% of time
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.16% of time
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.10% of time
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.7% of time
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.7% of time
- Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.5% of time
- Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.4% of time
- Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.1% of time
- Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 2 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Build on the 9 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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