Beyond the clinic: Nonclinical PAs and factors associated with leaving clinical practice

Most physician associates (PAs) who leave their clinical jobs will pursue another clinical position, though a smaller subset leave clinical practice entirely. Job change research tends to focus on PAs who leave their clinical roles for another clinical position; PA departure from clinical practice altogether is understudied. The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons behind why PAs leave clinical medicine to pursue nonclinical career options.

Interviews were conducted with nonclinical PAs to assess their reasons for leaving clinical practice.

Although the reasons the study participants left clinical practice were multifactorial, burnout was widely expressed as a top contributor. Other reasons included but were not limited to lack of professional advancement opportunities, financial considerations, lack of flexibility, and poor work-life balance.

Burnout was a key factor for leaving clinical practice, though other important reasons were also discovered. Understanding these factors could influence future PA retention plans and elucidate career trends in the profession.