With the current physician shortage, it’s little wonder that PAs are often called “physician extenders,” along with nurse practitioners
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Sierra Johnson initially was on a pre med academic path and had worked in an emergency department. However, that was before she heard about the role of physician assistant.
Now an orthopedic physician assistant at Geneva Interlakes Orthopedic Surgery, she’s happy with her choice.
“I started engaging with physician assistants versus MDs and what their work-life balance was like,” Johnson said. “By comparison, PA seems like it’s a better work-life balance. They have better marriages and family lives than doctors. The pre-med requirements are very similar, so it was an easy transition.”
She also liked the notion that she did not have to specialize in a particular field in her studies, yet could transition to a different specialty later if she wants to. That kind of flexibility appealed to her.
“I work in orthopedics, but if I woke up tomorrow and wanted to go into family medicine, emergency medicine or otolaryngology, I could do it without going back to school. As an MD, I couldn’t do that.”
The position’s on-the-job training helps PAs segue into a different specialty. PAs practice under a supervising physician. However, Johnson still feels she and other PAs have “a lot of autonomy. I can always run tough cases by my supervising physician,” she said.
Sometimes, it’s challenging feeling like someone’s overlooking one’s work as a PA. Johnson said that over time, PAs and their supervising physicians build a relationship based on trust and the autonomy increases.
“My supervising physician trusts me as we’ve worked together for a while,” she said. “Over time, they back off and let you become your own provider.”
She cited as another challenge, “there are some discrepancies with pharmacies and other occupations in medicine that will almost look down on you as a PA or not understand fully what a PA does. We’re not a doctor but not a nurse. I’ve seen a shift in perspective, as things are getting better.”
Patients asking for “a real doctor” is still a challenge she occasionally faces, even though she can do nearly everything a physician in primary care can do, including treat and diagnose patients, prescribe medication — even narcotics — and read tests such as X-rays. Practicing independently is one of the few things PAs can’t do.
With the current physician shortage, it’s little wonder that PAs are often called “physician extenders,” along with nurse practitioners.
“PAs fill the void so patients can get in to see a provider,” Johnson said. “It gives people bigger access to care, especially in rural areas.”
Selma Mujezinovic, Rochester Regional Health’s vice president of advanced practice providers, also sees extenders as a means of helping meet the healthcare provider crisis.
“Physician assistants are trained in a medical model,” Mujezinovic said. “They enter the educational programs straight out of high school, generally as a first career.”
At entry level, PAs have a master’s degree, similar to a nurse practitioner, although trained in a medical model rather than a nursing model.
She believes that the science of medicine and innovation is what draws many to the career, along with the desire to help people.
“There’s passionate care delivered by PAs,” Mujezinovic said. “While they might not be interested in becoming a MD and going through that training, they can contribute to the wellness of their patients.
“They can impact patients’ wellness and healing. It’s a very rewarding job. They can educate their patients and families about how to improve health and aid in pain management. It has a lot of flexibility. They have a lot of flexibility for their hours and whether in person, hybrid or home. It’s a very enticing profession.”
It’s vital for those interested in becoming a PA to possess a heavy aptitude for science. Demonstrating a commitment to academics and volunteering in a healthcare program can also help prospective PAs enter the programs which Mujezinovic said can be as vigorous and competitive as medical schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for a physician assistant in the Rochester area is $124,070.
Salary
A physician assistant in the Rochester area makes an annual mean salary of $124,070, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.