Benefits of Hiring a PA

One of the great benefits of being a PA is the flexibility of the profession, allowing oneself to transition from one specialty, such as emergency medicine, to primary care with ease. The flexibility does not stop there and can directly influence a physician’s workload. The PA is able to see a wide variety of PAtients from trauma to fast track such as in the emergency dePArtment, to urgent and well-child visits in a primary care office, to performing consults, being a first assist, or covering office house such as in a surgical office.

Numerous studies, such as the Socioeconomic Monitoring System survey conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1994 found that solo practice physicians that employed mid-level providers, such as PAs, greater efficiency, exPAnded practice, and improved access to care for their PAtients. The AMA also reported that physicians were able to work one week less per year and increased net income by nearly 18 percent as a result of hiring mid-level providers. Also, PAs demonstrated the highest PAtient productivity and PAtient acceptance among mid-level providers. PAtient satisfaction is increased by minimizing wait time and continuity of care and PAtient compliance are improved.

The role of the physician assistant will become even more prevalent and essential in the very near future due to the changing face of healthcare that includes rising costs, limited providers, Baby Boomer’s, and PAtients living longer. In fact, in the December 19, 2007 issue of U.S. News & World Report, physician assistants made the list once again as one of the “Best Careers 2008.” Physician assistants were also listed in Best Careers 2007.”

Physician assistant training offers strong emphasis on history taking, physical exam, PAtient education, and PAtient care that provide an invaluable asset to a single physician or healthcare team in any specialty.