Career patterns of physician assistants: a retrospective longitudinal study

Abstract

Objectives: A distinguishing characteristic of the physician assistant (PA) profession is career flexibility to move between specialties without further training or certification. The objectives of this study were to characterize the number and type of practice specialties and to explore attitudes towards career flexibility.

Methods: Practice patterns were examined using a survey of AAPA member and non-member graduates from the classes of 1978, 1988, and 1998.

Results: Overall, respondents (n = 1,703; 31%) reported practicing in an average of 1.95 specialty practices per decade over the course of their career (range, 1-18; SD, 1.40). Adjusted for the number of decades elapsed postgraduation, the 1978, 1988, and 1998 cohorts practiced in an average of 1.08 (SD, 0.71), 1.51 (SD, 1.02), and 2.41 (SD, 1.49) specialties per decade, respectively (P < 0.0001; all pair-wise comparisons significant, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Most PAs change specialties during their career, and this trait of the profession is highly valued.