Physician assistants: from pipeline to practice

Area of Science:

• Health Workforce Studies
• Medical Education
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Physician assistants (PAs) have a proven track record of adaptability in healthcare for over 40 years.
• Projected physician shortages, particularly in primary care, necessitate the expanded role of PAs in team-based delivery systems.
• The current PA workforce exceeds 90,000 certified professionals, with numerous accredited programs graduating thousands annually.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze data from the PA pipeline and practice to understand their potential impact on healthcare workforce shortages.
• To identify barriers hindering the optimal deployment of PAs within the healthcare system.
• To provide policymakers and workforce planners with data-driven insights for maximizing PA contributions.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of data from the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Inclusion of primary data from PA candidates, educational programs, students, and certified PAs.
• Analysis of workforce and graduate practice data to assess the PA pipeline's impact.

Main Results:

• The PA pipeline and graduate practice data offer key insights into the workforce's potential.
• The overall impact of the PA pipeline on projected shortages requires further clarification.
• Identified barriers to optimal PA deployment include faculty shortages, scope-of-practice regulations, and limited clinical placement sites.

Conclusions:

• Data on the PA workforce and pipeline are crucial for strategic healthcare planning.
• Addressing identified barriers is essential for maximizing the contribution of PAs.
• Informed policy and practice models can leverage the growing PA workforce to enhance healthcare delivery.