The characteristics of clinically active older physician assistants

To prepare for future health workforce requirements, planners need an understanding of the clinical activity of physician assistants (PAs) and their career trajectory. We compared the characteristics of clinically active older PAs to younger PAs.

PAs were identified from all respondents aged 60 years or older at the time they participated in the annual census of the AAPA from 2005 through 2009. The most recent year of census participation was selected for analysis. This cadre of older PAs was compared with PAs younger than 60 years. Variables included age, gender, year of PA graduation, duration of being a PA, and clinical activity by self-identified work location and specialty.

A total of 48,692 PAs participated in at least one census from 2005 through 2009. Approximately 5% (2,340) met the age criteria and were clinically active. Clinically active older PAs reported working a mean of 39 hours per week and were employed in a rural setting more often than their younger counterparts. Nearly one-half of older respondents reported their specialty to be primary care.

Although the career span of a PA is only vaguely understood, a small but significant portion of clinicians appear to remain in the workforce into their seventh decade. They distinguish themselves by working proportionally more in primary care and nonurban areas than younger PAs. Older PAs may represent an American trend by remaining employed longer than historically observed. Gaps in the understanding of role behavior of PAs could be improved with longitudinal databases.