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3 Things PAs Can Do Better Than Physicians

Analysis  |  By Lena J. Weiner  
   July 25, 2016

The ranks of physician assistants are expected to grow by 30% between 2014 and 2024. They can practice and prescribe medicine in all 50 states at almost half the median cost of an MD.

Hospital HR departments often have two goals that can be very much at odds with one another: first, hire talented clinicians who can offer the best care; second, cut staffing costs.

But some are finding there's a way to do both.

Physician assistants can practice and prescribe medicine in all 50 states; they can examine, diagnose, and treat patients, interpret lab test results, assist in surgery, and take care of routine patient care. 

And they cost less than physicians.

PAs have been certified since 1975, their ranks have doubled since the 1980s, and the number of PAs is expected to exceed 124,000 by 2025.

It's not hard to see why the profession is growing, says Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed. D, PA-C, president and CEO of the National Commission of the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of PAs is anticipated to grow by 30% between 2014 and 2024, adding 28,700 PAs to the US workforce.

A brief issued by NCCPA explores PA workforce data:

  • As of December 31, 2015, there are 108,717 certified PAs in the United States
  • There are 103.9 PAs for every 1000 physicians
  • 37.7% of PAs work in a hospital setting
  • PAs work a median of 40 hours weekly
  • The median income earned by a certified PA is $95,000 annually

And there are benefits unique to PAs, says Morton-Rias.

1. Cut Payroll Costs

The median physician's income of $187,200 is at least $90,000 more than that of a PA, who can perform many of the same duties a physician can.

2. Assist Specialists and Grow Departments

Like physicians, PAs can have specialties.

Until recently, most PAs specialized in family medicine or primary care, but that's changing, says Morton-Rias.

Data backs her up; while 28.3% of PAs still chose to specialize in primary care, a growing number (about 70%) are choosing to specialize in other subspecialties, such as surgical, emergency medicine, dermatology, and hospital medicine. The median annual salary for these specialties range from the low end of $85,000 for women's health and pediatrics to $115,000 for vascular surgery.

3. Facilitate Communication

PAs are a good fit for roles where sharp communication skills are vital, says Morton-Rias. Having gone through much of the same training as physicians, a PA will understand what other clinicians need, and  may have more flexibility and time to spend with patients.

Counseling patients, transitional care, and care continuity are all areas where PAs shine, says Morton-Rias. "PA's training resides around good communication skills," and putting a PA in a role where their listening skills and ability to give clear instructions is an excellent way of putting that training to use.


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Other roles PAs can bring their excellent communication skills to include assisting in the surgical theater, pediatrics, and geriatrics—any job where an ability to keep docs, nurses, and patients all on the same page is key.

Good PAs can "help empower patients, and are able to talk to patients in language [patients] understand and help them to care for themselves," says Morton-Rias.

They can also explain patient concerns to other clinicians in straightforward or clinical terms that get results and can make a high-quality, well-trained, and less expensive addition to patient care teams.

Lena J. Weiner is an associate editor at HealthLeaders Media.

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