A longitudinal study of pre-physician assistant life experiences as predictors of working in primary care
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Giannelli, Frank Richard.
A longitudinal study of pre-physician assistant life experiences as predictors of working in primary care. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-x6sn-g941
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TitleA longitudinal study of pre-physician assistant life experiences as predictors of working in primary care
Date Created2021
Other Date2021-05 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (xiii, 134 pages)
DescriptionThere is a shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the United States, disproportionately affecting urban and rural communities. Access to primary care services can improve individual health outcomes and reduce healthcare spending. Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are identified as potential solutions to this shortage; however, the number of PAs working in primary care is decreasing. PA workforce literature suggests that there are certain characteristics that may influence a PA’s desire to work in primary care including a sense of mission and desire to work with a community long-term, attributes the literature suggests that for some are likely formed in the pre-PA school period. An exploratory longitudinal study design of secondary data was used in this study to identify which pre-PA school experiences, as reported on the Central Application for Physician Assistants (CASPA), influence the PA’s initial specialty. Specific indicators include social, environmental, economic, academic, and work history, exposure to primary care, and health related volunteer work in underserved communities. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to test each hypothesis. The results demonstrate that the pre-PA school lived experience, such as those influenced by race, gender, identifying as economically or educationally disadvantaged, growing up in health professional shortage area/ medically underserved area, and being from the first generation to attend college, are most influential on initial specialty selection. Chosen experience, such as those represented by the PA’s academic course of study, grade point average, work experience, exposure to primary care, and volunteer work do not appear to have a significant association with initial specialty. The results of this study can help PA programs identify which applicants are most likely to work in primary care in order to help close the primary care clinician gap.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
LanguageEnglish
CollectionGraduate School - Newark Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.