• Of the PAs sampled two thousand  were practicing in Orthopaedics
• There were over 194 million patient encounters by PAs, of that, over 15.9 million were seen for musculoskeletal complaints

Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery is an organization created by and for physician assistants who are NCCPA certified and work in Orthopaedics. PAOS is an official specialty organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and has an official Liaison with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. PAOS is dedicated to providing high quality programs to support its members in achieving a high level of knowledge in musculoskeletal health care through the physician/physician assistant team concept.

To provide a professional organization with a common direction for physician assistants who practice in Orthopaedics. Providing quality CME in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal health care. Provide a forum for interaction, and networking for information dissemination and job placement in Orthopaedics for physician assistants. Educate physicians and allied health professionals on physician assistant education, training, certification and changing legislation.

PAs provide a vital service and role in patient care within today’s health care system. The hallmark of this service is that PA’s practice as part of a PA/Physician team. Physician Assistants who practice in orthopaedics are licensed health care professionals who practice medicine within the scope of practice of their supervising physician. PA’s are highly skilled professionals who exercise autonomy in diagnosing and treating illnesses the same as their physician counterparts. PAOS provides a forum for interaction for physician assistants who practice in orthopaedics, and a networking system for interaction among its' peers.   PAOS has  professional interaction with the AAPA as well as the AAOS to coordinate CME, job opportunities, practice issues, as well as, Political issues.