Demographic Insights: Sexual and Gender Minority Physician Assistant/Associate Students

The population prevalence of sexual and gender minority (SGM) people continues to grow. However, the proportion of SGM-identified physician assistant/physician associate (PA) students is less than the general population and the percentage of SGM medical students. Information regarding SGM PA students is lacking. This study seeks to describe and compare characteristics of non-SMG identified and SGM-identified matriculating and graduating PA students.

Data were collected using PA Education Association's Matriculating and End of Program surveys in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to describe relationships between sociodemographic and environmental variables.

Percentages of SGM identified students were 6% of matriculating and 5% of graduating PA students. Significant differences were found between SGM and non-SGM identified students. Matriculating SGM identified students were more likely to have student loans. Graduating SGM identified students were more likely to be older at graduation (age 26+), identify as Black/African American or more than one race, identify as Hispanic/Latino, be single, identify as an underrepresented minority status, and did not have legal dependents. Graduating SGM students were more likely to attend a PA program in the Northeastern and Western regions, have student loans, have higher loan amounts ($100,000+), and participate in loan forgiveness.

This study showed an underrepresentation of PA students who are SGM and important demographic differences between SGM and non-SGM PA students. Future research should address the significantly lower percentage of SGM PA students compared with medical students and the general population and qualitatively explore their experiences.