|
1
|
Klein A, Kayingo G, Schrode KM, Soria K. Physician Assistants/Associates With Doctoral Degrees: Where Are They Now? J Physician Assist Educ 2024; 35:14-20. [PMID: 37791756 PMCID: PMC10878439 DOI: 10.1097/jpa.0000000000000549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The impact of holding a doctoral credential by clinically practicing physician assistants/associates (PAs) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate practice patterns and describe demographic characteristics of PAs who have terminal doctoral degrees. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of data obtained from the 2021 Salary Survey of the American Academy of PAs. A total of 13,865 PAs responded to the survey for an estimated response rate of 13.3%. We examined the relationships between holding a doctoral degree, demographic characteristics, and work-related variables. Descriptive bivariate statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS Most of the PAs (93.6%) with doctoral degrees were older than 30 years and self-identified as female (55%). There were higher proportions of non-White individuals among those with doctorates compared with general PA population. Of the PAs holding doctoral degrees, 90.4% were primarily clinicians and 9.6% were primarily educators. Physician assistants/associates with doctoral degrees were employed with their current employer longer than PAs without doctoral degrees. Most of the PAs with doctoral degrees held informal or formal leadership and had an annual salary above the median (62.3%) compared with PAs without doctoral degrees (40.0%). CONCLUSION There are statistically significant differences in practice patterns and demographic factors between PAs with and without doctoral degrees. Physician assistants/associates with doctoral degrees were older, were male, and held leadership positions. Taken together, holding a doctoral credential may improve upward mobility at workplaces. Qualitative studies are warranted to further understand the motivation and impact of holding a doctoral credential among clinically practicing PAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Klein
- Alicia Klein, EdD, MS, PA-C, is a director of academic education, assistant professor, Physician Assistant Program, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Gerald Kayingo, PhD, MBA, PA-C, is an assistant dean, executive director and professor, Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
- Katrina M. Schrode, PhD, is a research assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California
- Krista Soria, PhD, is an assistant professor, Leadership and Counseling, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Gerald Kayingo
- Alicia Klein, EdD, MS, PA-C, is a director of academic education, assistant professor, Physician Assistant Program, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Gerald Kayingo, PhD, MBA, PA-C, is an assistant dean, executive director and professor, Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
- Katrina M. Schrode, PhD, is a research assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California
- Krista Soria, PhD, is an assistant professor, Leadership and Counseling, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Katrina M. Schrode
- Alicia Klein, EdD, MS, PA-C, is a director of academic education, assistant professor, Physician Assistant Program, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Gerald Kayingo, PhD, MBA, PA-C, is an assistant dean, executive director and professor, Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
- Katrina M. Schrode, PhD, is a research assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California
- Krista Soria, PhD, is an assistant professor, Leadership and Counseling, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Krista Soria
- Alicia Klein, EdD, MS, PA-C, is a director of academic education, assistant professor, Physician Assistant Program, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Gerald Kayingo, PhD, MBA, PA-C, is an assistant dean, executive director and professor, Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy, Graduate School, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
- Katrina M. Schrode, PhD, is a research assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California
- Krista Soria, PhD, is an assistant professor, Leadership and Counseling, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| |
Collapse
|