Health Services Research

Factors that influence physician assistant 
choice of practice location

, Richard D. Muma, PhD, MPH, PA-C; Lindsay Burks, MPA, PA-C; Molly Muck Lavoie, MPA, PA-C March 14, 2012

The authors surveyed factors considered influential in the selection of a PA's first practice location, and their results may be illuminating not just to those interested in PA workforce issues but also to recruiters with hard-to-fill positions.
 

The characteristics of clinically active older physician assistants

, Christal Ramos, MPH; R. Paola Daly, MHS; Raymond Fang, MS January 17, 2012

AAPA census data indicate that compared to younger PAs, PAs working beyond their seventh decade work more in primary care and nonurban areas. Knowing how long PAs continue to practice and what fields they choose will help workforce planners predict needs.
 

The physician assistant workforce in Indiana: Preparing to meet future health care needs

, Jennifer Zorn, MS, PA-C; Tom Gjerde, PhD; Jennifer Burkhart, PA-C; Lori Rosebrock, PA-C December 19, 2011

This study identifies baseline statistics for the current workforce in Indiana as a context for changes that will occur because of the rapid increase in the number of PAs, changes in prescriptive laws, and the opening of a number of new Indiana PA programs.
 

MICU care delivered by PAs versus residents: Do PAs measure up?

, Bruno DiGiovine, MD, MPH January 27, 2011

This study compares patient outcomes in a physician assistant-run medical intensive care unit with those in a resident-run medical intensive care unit. The results are consistent with previous studies.
 

Substitution of PAs and NPs for doctors in ED settings

January 27, 2011

This installment reviews a quality of care comparison study, a novel study of patient willingness to see a PA or NP rather than a physician prior to the visit, and an article that disagrees with the second article's conclusions.
 

US physician assistant (PA) supply by state 
and county in 2009

Janet P. Sutton, PhD; Christal Ramos, MPH; Jennifer Lucado, MPH September 08, 2010

Variation in the PA-to-population ratio may be related to state practice laws, some of which may discourage PAs from practicing in communities most vulnerable to provider shortages.
 

Physician assistants in hospital-based specialty practice

July 16, 2010

Four articles that review the impact and roles for physician assistants in hospital-based practice settings are reviewed.
 

The relative value and risks of nonphysician health care providers

April 14, 2010

The increasing number of nonphysician health care providers is prompting researchers to study their impact on the health care workforce.
 

Acceptance of physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in trauma centers: A national survey

Sue M. Nyberg, MHS, PA-C; Kayla R. Keuter, MPH, PA-C; Gina M. Berg, PhD; Amy M. Helton, MPA, PA-C; Angela D. Johnston, MPA, PA-C January 25, 2010

This study suggests that trauma centers are increasingly hiring and making effective use of PAs and NPs—and that jobs for PAs will grow in this area.
 

The development of varying physician assistant roles in the United States

January 13, 2010

The studies discussed in this installment of Research Corner illustrate the growing demand for PAs in the American health care workforce across a variety of settings.
 

PA profession in South Australia: One year later

January 12, 2010

A PA participating in a South Australian trial reflects on her experience and the future of the PA profession in Australia.
 

Differences in the diagnosis of dermatologic conditions among rural and urban physician assistants

Bryon Brown, MSPAS, PA-C; Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C; Kevin Harmon, MSPAS, PA-C; Shaun A. Nguyen, MD, MA December 09, 2009

This study's findings suggest that rural PAs are somewhat better than urban PAs at identifying and treating skin diseases, in part because they do more of it.
 

What influences practice location and specialty?

October 15, 2009

The student selection process and curriculum are important in producing primary care physicians and physicians willing to serve in rural and underserved settings. Public and rural schools do a better job of producing primary care, rural, and health center physicians.
 

Do physician assistants provide a "social good" for America?

September 15, 2009

Has the PA profession delivered on its promise to increase access to health care? This editorial's argument: The evidence shows that it has.
 

A niche for PAs to effect change in our health care system

Kevin M. Schuer, PA-C, MPH August 18, 2009

A fellowship with the NCPS showed this PA how he and other PAs can effect positive change in our health care system.
 

Do PAs change specialties during their careers?

July 16, 2009

Recent studies indicate that specialty mobility is a strong factor for choosing a career as a physician assistant. Most PAs exercise this option at least once during their career.
 

A role in trauma care for advanced practice clinicians

Kelly L. Sherwood, PA-C, MPAS; Raymond R. Price, MD, FACS; Thomas W. White, MD, FACS; Mark H. Stevens, MD, FACS; Don H. Van Boerum, MD, FACS June 17, 2009

Advanced practice clinicians can treat trauma patients, safely filling the void left by decreased availability of surgical residents.
 

Using practice analysis to improve the certifying examinations for PAs

Scott Arbet, PhD; Janet Lathrop, MBA; Roderick S. Hooker, PhD, PA February 18, 2009

What do PAs do, how skilled are they in performing these activities, and how important are these activities? For many professions, a practice analysis provides the link between examination content and real-world performance.
 

PAs in Australia: A new international stage

February 12, 2009

As the first PAs contracted to work clinically on Australian soil, we face a great challenge.
 

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