Who can provide a peer reference for a physician assistant according to the Joint Commission?

A peer reference for a physician assistant, as per the Joint Commission standards, is expected to come from someone who has a direct understanding of the peer's qualifications, skills, and experience in a similar role. A physician assistant is uniquely qualified to assess another physician assistant because both share similar education, training, and practice settings. This peer relationship enables an accurate and relevant evaluation of professional competencies.

While a physician could provide a reference, the assessment would primarily be based on their supervisory relationship rather than direct peer-to-peer experience. Similarly, a nurse practitioner, despite having a comparable level of training, does not share the same role or responsibilities that a physician assistant has, which makes their perspective different. A medical director generally oversees clinical practices but may not have the requisite peer-level insight into another physician assistant's practice. Therefore, a physician assistant serves as the most appropriate peer reference according to the Joint Commission’s guidance.