Your parents are elitist jerks and I'm glad you don't seem to be.

There is a need for PAs because doctors don't have the time to spend on each case.

But don't fool yourself there is a wide gulf between PAs and MDs in both knowledge and abilities.

The PA profession was created at Duke University by Dr Carter Snead, MD; to utilize the skills of the VietNam corpsmen (not just the Navy) who had skills far beyond nursing from combat situations. And no, most MDs do not look down on PAs like your parents (although there are always bad eggs); and in fact I have been consulted for my expertise by docs on many occasions. there are some very poor MDs out there as well. Commend your attitude!

Diane A is right except for the name of the individual that created the PA profession:

His name is Eugene Stead

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_A._S¦

This is the "Rest of the story"...Directly from the AAPA the national organization that represents Physician Assistants.

http://aapa.org/about-pas/our-history

Hey! I think your so intelligent to realize your parents attitude towards PAs and I'm glad you want to become one as well. I'm planning on becoming a PA too. My initial plan was to major in pre-med but my cousin who is an MD told me not to do it, mostly because of the workload, rotations, and residency (not to mention the years it takes). Right now, he's waiting for his residency to begin. I feel like he's been doing this forever. Plus, he wasn't the only MD who suggested the PA route. There were many others as well. Hope you follow your dreams :)