How Do Physicians and Nurse Practitioners Perceive the Title Change from Physician Assistant to Physician Associate?

The main goal of this study was to assess physicians' and nurse practitioners' (NPs) perception of the title change from physician assistant (PA) to physician associate.

Hospital medicine physicians and NPs were surveyed via a REDCap survey that was created by the researcher. Participants were recruited via emails that were sent to Northwell Health providers as part of a convenience sampling. Statistical analysis using a one-way ANOVA was performed to compare the effect of professional credentials on perception and support for the title change.

There were a total of 103 participants, with a response rate for NPs of 22% and physicians of 27%. Analysis revealed that 73% of physicians and NPs surveyed did not think that PAs changing their title to physician associate would affect their perceptions of PAs.

There are some reservations about the title change, but overall PAs changing their title to physician associate will not affect the perception of PAs by their peers/colleagues at Northwell Health.