Published by Haymarket under contract with the AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants), the mission of the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (JAAPA) is to support the ongoing education and advancement of PAs.

This is achieved by publishing current information and research on clinical, health policy, and professional issues.

According to AAPA census data, almost 64,000 people were in clinical practice as physician assistants in 2007. PAs are health care professionals licensed to practise medicine in the United States with physician supervision.

As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive healthcare, assist in surgery, and in the majority of US states can write prescriptions.

Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients.