Scarcity of Primary Care Positions May Divert Physician Assistants Into Specialty Practice

Department

Physician Assistant

Abstract

Background: Physician assistants (PAs) are often suggested as a partial solution to predicted primary care workforce shortages, but a declining proportion of PAs are entering primary care practice. Policy efforts have focused on increasing primary care PA supply, but low labor market demand might be constricting the primary care PA pipeline.

Method: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we compare primary care and specialty job postings to each other and to occupied PA positions. Job posting data for 2014 are from a leading labor analytics firm.

Results: Only 18% of job postings were in primary care, compared with 27% of occupied PA positions. The proportion of postings that were for primary care varied widely by state (9% to 40%) and were highest in the West.

Discussion: Job availability is a potential barrier to PAs practicing in primary care, especially in some locations. Other job factors are examined and policy solutions are suggested.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 1-1-2017

Publication Title

Medical Care Research and Review : MCRR

ISSN

1077-5587

Volume

74

Issue

1

DOI

10.1177/1077558715627555

First Page

109

Last Page

122

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