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Establishing Global Dialogue: Initiating the International Physician Associate/Assistant and PA Comparable Educators'
Lumbani Tshotetsi1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, Mirela Bruza-Augatis1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, Scott Smalley1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
1Lumbani Tshotetsi, DCM, BSc HSE, PGD PH, MSc Epi, is a lecturer in the Clinical Associate Program, Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Introduction:
Physician associates/assistants (PAs) play an essential role in healthcare delivery across 63 countries. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International PA and PA Comparable Educators Group (IPAEG) was launched as a virtual forum to facilitate global networking, professional development, and curriculum alignment among PA educators.
Methods:
A pilot qualitative descriptive study was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025 using a structured questionnaire. The survey explored participants' motivations, perceived benefits, and suggestions for future IPAEG meetings. Thematic analysis was used to analyze responses from PA educators who attended IPAEG meetings from 2020 to 2024.
Results:
A total of 194 educators participated in the IPAEG meetings from 2020 to 2024, with 60 completing the entire survey. After removing new educators who did not participate or had incomplete responses, the final sample consisted of 42 participants (70% response rate). Respondents spanned multiple countries, with the majority from the United States, Africa, and Europe. Key motivations for participation included networking, knowledge exchange, and curriculum benchmarks. Participants reported that IPAEG meetings supported professional growth and enabled peer learning during the pandemic. Suggestions for future IPAEG meetings included a greater focus on educational leadership, regulatory frameworks, and harmonized global curricula.
Discussion:
The IPAEG has emerged as a critical path to strengthen PA education globally. It fosters community, encourages innovation, and supports internationalization for PA education. As the profession continues to evolve, IPAEG is poised to serve as a catalyst for sustainable growth, collaboration, and global recognition of the PA workforce.
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