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Our military heritage.
1Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
Physician Assistant (American Academy of Physician Assistants)
|October 5, 1993
Summary
The physician assistant profession emerged during the transformative 1960s, drawing its initial members from experienced military medical corpsmen. This article explores the foundational military heritage of physician assistants.
Area of Science:
- Medical Professions
- Healthcare History
- Military Medicine
Background:
- The 1960s marked a period of significant cultural and professional shifts in American society.
- The healthcare landscape was evolving, necessitating new roles to meet patient care demands.
Observation:
- The physician assistant (PA) profession was established during this dynamic era.
- The inaugural cohort of physician assistants comprised individuals with prior military medical experience.
Findings:
- The creation of the physician assistant profession represents a key development impacting healthcare.
- A direct lineage exists between military medical corpsmen and the early physician assistants.
Implications:
- Understanding this military heritage is crucial for appreciating the PA profession's origins.
- The foundational skills and experiences of corpsmen shaped the early practice of physician assistants.
- This historical perspective informs contemporary discussions on healthcare workforce development.