Summary of results from a clinical doctorate survey

Transcription

1 Summary of results from a clinical doctorate survey Survey was conducted on-line using SurveyMonkey Survey was announced on February 23 via special AAPA e-news and link was posted on AAPA and PAEA web sites. Responses collected between February 23 and March 6, 2009 are summarized. 22 questions on the instrument Total number of respondents = 5,385

2 What should be the role of a PA-specific clinical doctorate in the profession? (All respondents n = 5339) The clinical doctorate should not be required for any PAs. 60.9% The clinical doctorate should become a requirement for all practicing PAs. 2.8% The clinical doctorate should only be available to PAs as part of postgraduate training (PA residency). 30.5% The clinical doctorate should be an option for PAs who are in clinical practice. 47. The clinical doctorate should be another option in addition to the current degrees (associate's, bachelor's, and master's) available to new PA graduates. 27.2% The clinical doctorate should be the only entry-level degree for all new graduates. 3.8% Respondents were allowed to choose multiple options Percent of respondents Question 1

3 What should be the role of a PA-specific clinical doctorate in the profession? (Fulltime PAs n = 3061, PA educators n = 560, PA students n = 794) The clinical doctorate should not be required for any PAs. The clinical doctorate should become a requirement for all practicing PAs. The clinical doctorate should only be available to PAs as part of postgraduate training (PA residency). The clinical doctorate should be an option for PAs who are in clinical practice. Full time PAs PA educators PA students The clinical doctorate should be another option in addition to the current degrees (associate's, bachelor's, and master's) available to new PA graduates. The clinical doctorate should be the only entry-level degree for all new graduates. Respondents were allowed to choose multiple options Percent of respondents Question 1 by subgroups

4 If there were one degree to be awarded to all persons successfully completing a PA program, which degree do you think would be most appropriate? (All respondents n = 5314) No preference, any degree is appropriate Doctorate Master's PA students PA educators Full time PAs Bachelor's Associate's Percent of respondents Question 2 by subgroups

5 Which would you find the most compelling reasons to pursue a clinical doctorate? Allows PAs to move more easily into an academic careers as faculty. (Fulltime PAs n = 2958, PA educators n = 531, PA students n = 772) Provides increased clinical knowledge and skills. Provides increased salary and compensation. Provides more opportunity for PA career advancement. Allows PAs to be more competitive in the healthcare marketplace. Helps PAs gain the respect of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Provides more options to work in healthcare administration. Full time PAs PA educators PA students Increases opportunities for PAs to do clinical research. Enhances the ability of PAs to practice in complex healthcare systems. Leads to better patient outcomes, safety and quality care. Allows PAs to move towards more independent practice. Respondents were asked to select three choices Percent of respondents Question 3 by subgroups

6 Which would you find the most compelling reasons to NOT pursue a clinical doctorate? (Fulltime PAs n = 2965, PA educators n = 547, PA students n = 776) Leads to confusion for patients about the PA title and role. Results in a hierarchy of PAs leading to fracturing of the profession. Results in increased costs of PA education. Increases conflicts with physician organizations. Results in increased costs of healthcare. Leads to movement of PAs out of clinical practice into academic or research settings. Fulltime PA PA educator PA student Increases subspecialization of PAs. Decreases the diversity of the profession. Decreases access of patients to PA services. Means fewer job opportunities. Respondents were asked to select three choices Percent of respondents Question 4 by subgroups

7 Would you consider pursuing a clinical doctorate yourself? % 18.5% 28.4% % % Maybe Yes No 53.7% % 36.9% 1 Fulltime PAs PA educators PA students (n = 3067) (n = 568) (n = 799) Question 5 by subgroups

8 If you had the opportunity to pursue a clinical doctorate right now, how important would the following factors be in influencing your decision? (Rank most important to least important.) (Fulltime PAs n = 1797, PA educators n = 508, PA students n = 264) 4.00 Most important (rank = 4) 3.00 Full time PAs PA educators PA students Least important (rank = 1) Duration of the program Amount of time dedicated to studies Cost of tuition Ability to work while in school Question 6 by subgroups

9 Clinical Doctorate: At most, how much would you be willing to pay for tuition? PA student (n = 501) PA educator (n = 261) Less than $10,000 per year $10,000-19,999 per year $20,000-29,999 per year Over $30,000 per year Fulltime PA (n = 1791) Question 7 by subgroups

10 Clinical Doctorate: At most, how much time per week would you be able to dedicate to doctoral degree studies (both in-class and out-of-class time)? Less than 10 hours per week Between 10 and 20 hours per week Between 21 and 30 hours per week Between 31 and 40 hours per week More than 40 hours per week PA student (n = 501) PA educator (n = 263) Fulltime PA (n = 1788) Question 8 by subgroups

11 Clinical Doctorate: How much would you need to work at your clinical job while you were in school? PA student (n = 497) PA educator (n = 261) Full-time (40 hours or more per Part-time week) (Between 20 and 40 hours per week) As needed parttime (Less than 20 hours per week) Not at all Fulltime PA (n = 1784) Question 9 by subgroups

12 Clinical Doctorate: At most, how long would you be willing to go back to school? PA student (n = 498) PA educator (n = 261) One year or less One to two years Two to three years Four years or more Fulltime PA (n = 1787) Question 10 by subgroups

13 Which three topic areas do you feel would be most important to include in a postgraduate level PA-specific clinical doctorate curriculum? Medical knowledge (Fulltime PAs n = 1790, PA educators n = 261, PA students n = 501) Evidence-based practice Specialty training Patient care Healthcare administration Public health practice Research methodology Health policy Full time PAs PA educators PA students Health professions education Population-based health System-based practice Communication and interpersonal skills Professionalism Percent of respondents Question 11 by subgroups

14 Would you consider applying to a "bridge program" if one existed? % 16.7% 19.3% % % 59.9% Maybe Yes No 45.8% % 20.8% Fulltime PA PA educator PA student (n = 3067) (n = 568) (n = 799) Question 12 by subgroups

15 Bridge Program: At most, how much would you be willing to pay for tuition? 2 Fulltime PA PA educator PA student 1 PA student PA educator Less than $10,000 per year $10,000-19,999 per year $20,000-29,999 per year Over $30,000 per year Fulltime PA Question 13 by subgroups

16 Bridge Program: At most, how long would you be willing to go back to school? 6 Fulltime PA PA educator PA student 2 1 PA student PA educator One year or less One to two years Two to three years Four years or more Fulltime PA Question 14 by subgroups

17 What are the three most important reasons you would consider applying to a "bridge program" to obtain a medical degree if one existed? (Fulltime PAs n = 2272, PA educators n = 304, PA students n = 629) Need for professional growth and development Ability to practice independently Increased income potential Need for increased medical knowledge Ability to do more for patients Help address the shortage of physicians Ready for additional responsibility Gain more confidence in my abilities Fulltime PAs PA educators PA students Enhanced reputation and prestige Increased reimbursement I want to own my practice Enjoy being in school Unhappy as a PA 1 2 Percent of Respondents Question 15 by subgroups

18 Please indicate your current occupational status (n = 4561) Retired with no intention of returning to work Unemployed, not seeking work Unemployed, seeking work Employed in nonclinical capacity, not as PA educator PA educator PA student In clinical practice but not as PA In clinical practice as a PA for less than 32 hours per week In clinical practice as a PA for 32 or more hours per week Percent of Respondents Question 16

19 What is your clinical specialty? (n = 4561) Family medicine Not currently practicing Other Emergency medicine Orthopedic surgery General internal medicine Other surgery Other internal medicine subspecialty Cardiology Dermatology Cardiovascular surgery General surgery Occupational medicine Pediatric subspecialty General pediatrics Obstetrics and gynecology 5% 1 15% 2 25% Percent of respondents Question 17

20 What degree/credential did you receive upon completing your entry-level PA program? Fulltime PAs PA educators PA students 2 1 PA students (n = 703) PA educators (n = 543) Certificate Associate's Bachelor's Fulltime PAs (n = 3045) Master's Question 18 by subgroups

21 Over your whole career, what degrees have you obtained? (Fulltime PAs n = 2995, PA educators n = 554) Fulltime PAs PA educators 2 1 Associate's Bachelor's Master's Doctorate Question 19 by subgroups

22 How long have you been a PA? Mean = 9.9 years 2 Mean = 17.1 years Years PA educators (n = 547) Fulltime PAs (n = 3050) Question 20 by subgroups

23 What is your gender? % 49.1% 35.6% 7 6 Male Female 64.4% 55.7% 50.9% 2 1 Fulltime PAs PA educators PA students Question 21 by subgroups

24 What is your age? years years years years years 70 years and over PA educators Fulltime PAs PA students Question 22 by subgroups