Factors influencing physician assistant practice location in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey of 2,000 practicing PAs from the United States was to determine the number of PAs from rural areas who returned to a non-urban area after graduation and the factors that influenced their first practice location choice. Nearly one-half of respondents self-identified as graduating from a non-urban community high school, yet only one-third practiced in a similar community upon graduation. Many factors other than an individual’s community size prior to PA training were related to first job selection. Chi-square analyses revealed six factors of significance (p<.05) in relationship with demographic variables in determining their first job, including: benefits and incentive programs offered by employer; hours of work required per week; significant other support of location; medically underserved designation of practice site; quality of surrounding schools; and quality of life for the entire family.