Demographic patterns among physician assistant/associate applicants and matriculants compared with U.S. population...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare workforce diversity
• Physician Assistant (PA) profession demographics
• Health equity and access

Background:

• The Physician Assistant (PA) profession is vital for increasing healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas.
• Current PA workforce demographics do not reflect the evolving U.S. population composition.
• Addressing this disparity is crucial for equitable healthcare outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine nine-year trends in race, ethnicity, and gender among Physician Assistant (PA) program applicants and matriculants.
• To compare PA trainee demographics with U.S. Census data to identify representation gaps.
• To inform strategies for a more diverse and representative PA workforce.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of applicant and matriculant data from the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) from 2012-2013 to 2021-2022.
• Comparison of demographic data (race, ethnicity, gender) with U.S. Census data.
• Evaluation of representation across various demographic groups over a ten-year period.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in PA programs and applicants occurred over the decade, but demographic representation remained uneven.
• White and Asian applicants/matriculants were overrepresented compared to Census data.
• Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), and Hispanic individuals, particularly women, were underrepresented, with Black men and AIAN individuals showing persistent gaps.

Conclusions:

• The racial and ethnic distribution of PA trainees has not aligned with U.S. demographics for the past ten years.
• While some progress is noted for certain underrepresented groups, overall population-level disproportionality persists.
• Continued monitoring of PA trainee trends is essential for developing evidence-based strategies to enhance diversity and strengthen the healthcare workforce.