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A Spatial Analysis of Physician Assistant Programs
1J. Glenn Forister, PhD, PA-C, is program director and an associate professor in the Division of Physician Assistant Education at Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon. Curt Stilp, MS, PA-C, is the director, Oregon AHEC, and an assistant professor in the Division of Physician Assistant Education at Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.
Summary
Physician Assistant (PA) program growth is rapid, with new programs clustering near established ones. This geographic concentration may intensify competition for applicants, faculty, and clinical sites.
Area of Science:
- Health Professions Education
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Healthcare
- Medical Workforce Analysis
Background:
- Physician Assistant (PA) programs are expanding rapidly, with projections of 273 accredited programs by 2020.
- The number of applicants per seat in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) has increased by 53% over the last decade.
- Limited research exists on the geographic distribution of PA programs and their applicants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the geospatial patterns of Physician Assistant (PA) programs in the United States.
- To examine the geographic relationship between PA programs and Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) applicants.
- To understand the spatial distribution of program growth in relation to applicant pools.
Main Methods:
- Mapped established (n=159), satellite (n=18), and new (n=95) PA programs using ArcGIS.
- Geospatially analyzed US ZIP codes of 22,603 CASPA applicants from 2014-2015.
- Calculated nearest neighbor distances and used correlation to assess associations between applicants, program size, and state population.
Main Results:
- New PA programs were frequently located near established programs, with a median distance of 25.6 miles.
- Both established and new PA programs exhibited significant geographic clustering (Moran's I z score < 2.58, p = .01).
- The distribution of CASPA applicants correlated with US population density, certified PA numbers, and practicing physician locations.
Conclusions:
- Physician Assistant (PA) program expansion has surpassed initial projections.
- The clustering of new programs near existing ones is likely to heighten competition for applicants, faculty, and clinical training resources.
- Understanding these geospatial dynamics is crucial for strategic planning in PA education.
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