Pipeline to the Physician Assistant Profession: A Look to the Future

Authors

Stephane Vandermeulen, Creighton University School of Medicine
Jennifer A. Snyder, Butler University
William Kohlhepp, Quinnipiac University
Lisa Mustone Alexander, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Howard Straker, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health SciencesFollow
Jonathan Bowser, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Mary Jo Bondy, Physician Assistant Education Association

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-1-2022

Journal

Journal of Physician Assistant Education

Volume

33

Issue

1

DOI

10.1097/JPA.0000000000000414

Abstract

The current pipeline of physician assistant (PA) school applicants reflects the future workforce of the profession, which is why the admissions process with all its components and variables is so important. Many studies have shown that a workforce that represents the patients it cares for leads to improved health outcomes, especially among underrepresented minority populations. Yet, PA programs have made little progress over the past 2 decades in increasing the diversity of matriculants and graduates. As a profession, it is our collective responsibility to intentionally advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and examining the admissions process would be the most logical place to start.

APA Citation

Vandermeulen, S., Snyder, J., Kohlhepp, W., Mustone Alexander, L., Straker, H., Bowser, J., & Bondy, M. (2022). Pipeline to the Physician Assistant Profession: A Look to the Future. Journal of Physician Assistant Education, 33 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JPA.0000000000000414