Physician associates/assistants (PAs) have, over the past 50 years, become increasingly widespread throughout the health care system, practicing in a wide range of specialties and settings. They participate in research, administration, and education in their institutions. A recent internal review at Mayo Clinic found that only 27.7% of PAs held rank, and almost 84% of these were ranked at the instructor level, typically the introductory level of academic/clinical rank. 

Ninety percent of adults surveyed across 10 states support updating physician associate/assistant (PA) practice laws to allow health care systems to fully utilize their workforce, according to a survey by The Harris Poll.

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) released the reports, that explore patient experiences in California, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, in follow-up to a national Harris Poll survey AAPA released in May 2023.

High labor demand for physician assistants/associates (PA) has led to substantial PA workforce and wage growth. During this growth period, states have adopted reforms to reduce PA scope of practice restrictions and reports of significant gender and race wage disparities have emerged. This study examined data from the American Community Survey to investigate the influence of demographic characteristics, human capital, and scope of practice reforms on PA wages from 2008 to 2017.