ADMISSIONS

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Birth of Physician Assistant Profession

• Created to improve and expand healthcare.
• Curriculum of the PA program based on the fast-track training of doctors during World War II.
• Former military corpsmen seeking an opportunity to use their medical skills in civilian life.
• First three PAs graduated from Duke University in 1967
• Gained acceptance and backing federally as early as the 1970s as a creative solution to the shortage of physicians.
• Medical community helped support the profession and spurred setting accreditation standards, establishing a national certification and standardized examination, and developing continuing medical education requirements. (Source: AAPA.org)

Physician Assistants are a GROWING Profession!

• Relative to other health care professions, there is a short educational term.
• Ability to change medical specialties without additional formal training—allows flexibility!
• Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that PAs will be the second-fastest-growing profession in the next decade, increasing from 74,800 in 2008 to 103,900 in 2018
• AAPA projects that in 2020, there will be between 137,000 and 173,000 certified PAs.
• Coupled with this are the prospects of an aging population, who will need more healthcare services. (Source: AAPA.org)

Other Benefits of Becoming a Physician Assistant

• Changes in health care delivery demand more mid-level clinicians for primary care. 
• Educational investment:  bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years post-graduate education.
• Find opportunities in ALL areas of medicine.
• Enjoy high levels of job satisfaction.
• Same level of physician-supervised patient care with less student debt!