More docs are hiring PAs

More and more physicians in solo and group practices are discovering the benefits of hiring physician assistants. And the numbers show it: Employment for PAs in these settings has increased, while employment for PAs in hospitals and community health centers has decreased slightly, reported American Medical News (11/17/03), citing statistics from the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

A 2003 survey conducted by the academy found that the percentage of PAs working in solo practices rose from 9.1% in 1998 to 12.9% in 2003. Likewise, the percentage of those working in group practices climbed from 26.3% in 1998 to 30.4% in 2003. During the same period, the percentage of PAs working in hospitals dropped from 37.2% to 36.4%, while the percentage of those working in community health centers decreased from 11.1% to 8.3%. The academy also found that in 2003, PAs found jobs in family or general medicine (30.9%), followed by surgical subspecialities (20.4%) and emergency medicine (10%). Don't rule out obstetrics and gynecology, either: 2.8% of PAs found employment in this specialty, as well.