The Supply and Demand of Physician Assistants in the United States: A Trend Analysis

The supply of non-physician clinicians (NPCs), such as physician assistant (PAs), could significantly influence demand requirements in medical workforce projections. This study predicts supply of and demand for PAs from 2006 to 2020. The PA supply model utilized the number of certified PAs, the educational capacity (at 10% and 25% expansion) with assumed attrition rates, and retirement assumptions. Gross domestic product (GDP) chained in 2000 dollar and US population were utilized in a transfer function trend analyses with the number of PAs as the dependent variable for the PA demand model. Historical analyses revealed strong correlations between GDP and US population with the number of PAs. The number of currently certified PAs represents approximately 75% of the projected demand. At 10% growth, the supply and demand equilibrium for PAs will be reached in 2012. A 25% increase in new entrants causes equilibrium to be met one year earlier. Robust application trends in PA education enrollment (2.2 applicants per seat for PAs is the same as for allopathic medical school applicants) support predicted increases. However, other implications for the PA educational institutions include recruitment and retention of qualified faculty, clinical site maintenance and diversity of matriculates. Further research on factors affecting the supply and demand for PAs is needed in the areas of retirement age rates, gender, and lifestyle influences. Specialization trends and visit intensity levels are potential variables.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2007

Author dc:creator

• Orcutt, Venetia L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Henson, Robin K.
• Young, Jon I.
• Hooker, Roderick
• Hess, Brian

• physicians assistants
• health manpower
• trend analysis
• healthcare workforce
• attrition rates
• non-physician clinicians
• Physicians' assistants -- Supply and demand -- United States.
• Medical personnel -- Supply and demand -- United States.

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Orcutt, Venetia L.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 180084139
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3633/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3633

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc3633