THE VALUE OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS IN PRIMARY CARE - Abstract
A shortage of primary healthcare physicians has been worsening since the new century. One strategy is the deployment of physician assistants (PAs) in primary care underway for 60 years. As the demand for health services rises, the availability of PAs has also increased and with-it value in improved primary care service delivery. Understanding the role and importance of PAs is essential for policymakers, health economists, and employers. As of 2020, there are approximately 140,000 certified PAs, distributed across 69 medical and surgical disciplines. The graduation rate is 10,000, and the mean age is 44 years. The majority are full-time, and approximately one-third work in family medicine/general medicine. The PA represents the best job in America as of 2020. As the demand for more medical providers grows, the prediction of the PA per capita ratio is to develop as well. PAs and nurse practitioners are providing approximately one-third of the medical services in family medicine, urgent care, and emergency medicine.